Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is determined to keep adding “energy” to his squad after the Dons made Preston North End winger Jeppe Okkels their first signing of the January transfer window.
The 25-year-old Danish attacker had been pictured on social media at Aberdeen airport with Pittodrie director of football Steven Gunn on Sunday night, and has now sealed a loan-with-option-to-buy switch to the Reds.
Okkels – who played for Dons boss Jimmy Thelin at Elfsborg from 2020 to 2023 – joined Preston North End in August from Dutch outfit FC Utrecht.
He scored 29 goals and provided 16 assists in 118 appearances for Elfsborg, having previously scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists for Silkeborg in Denmark prior to his move to Sweden.
Thelin told the Aberdeen website: “Jeppe is someone we know well and is a player with a strong pedigree so we are delighted he has opted to join us at Aberdeen.
“He is a good finisher, who will bring a goal threat and provide real quality to our midfield options with his technical ability.
“He has had a frustrating period, however, he is a good character and with the fight and determination he shows we are sure he will be a positive addition to the squad.
“We continue to look at ways in which we can strengthen the squad to bring more energy for the remainder of the season.”
Having suffered a similarly stop-start time at Utrecht, Okkels’ game time has been limited with Preston, with the left-winger making just three starts in 10 appearances for his club – seven in the Championship and three in the League Cup.
He last featured for North End in a 15-minute cameo off the substitutes’ bench in a 2-1 defeat at Queen’s Park Rangers on December 21.
He was an unused substitute in his club’s last four league matches, including Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United.
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