Ante Palaversa was always going to sign up long-term because he wanted to repay Aberdeen for helping get his career back on track.
The Dons took a chance on him when they signed him after an injury-hit and then frozen-out spell at French side Troyes. Jimmy Thelin gambled but Palaversa has already shown his qualities and Aberdeen have since triggered their option that will keep him at Pittodrie until the summer of 2027. Palaversa said: “For me that’s amazing to get the deal done now as I’m really happy to be here.
“This is a club that gave me the chance again after the recent years when I didn’t get to play. When I say club I mean everybody and I feel that in training and in games I’m going to give my best. I just feel that the bad days are hopefully behind me now and all I’m focussed on is today and tomorrow at Aberdeen. It’s been a while since I was not fit enough to play, to compete, so I’m really happy about myself.
“About the contract, I feel so happy. It’s amazing to be here. Without the team, it would not be possible. We haven’t achieved anything yet, but we have had some good moments, so maybe that’s also the reason.
“It’s just amazing to be here, amazing to be part of the squad, so that’s why I wanted to stay and be in the manager’s plan. “I like it, so it’s just up to me. I’m so happy.”
Thelin has spoken about his long-term plan to make Aberdeen’s third force, to win trophies and to get them back into Europe. Palaversa wants to be a central part of that.
The Croat stated: “I want to make an impact for the club and myself and be part of a good Aberdeen team. We want to be fighting for a top three place and get European football next season. We would also like to win a cup as it was disappointing to go out to Celtic earlier (in the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup) in the season.”
Aberdeen are on something of a barren run. It is 11 games without a win and victory at Ibrox would be the perfect turning point for the Red Army. Palaversa was part of the Dons team who beat Philippe Clement’s side 2-1 at home in October at home and would love to repeat the fate.
The Croat stated: “It’s always, wherever you play, where the fans are, it just gives you even more motivation to be better and that’s it, to give the best that you can. We also remember the really good performance when we beat Rangers at Aberdeen.
“My hope is that we can produce that sort of performance down in Glasgow against them. When you stick together, you know your plan and everyone is doing their job it can go pretty well. Of course the recent run has been surprising and disappointing but we are going to bounce back soon and that’s it.”
Palaversa has already had big game experience in Croatia and Manchester City, so he won’t be fazed by his first trip to Ibrox. The former Hajduk Split star stated: “We’ll go from the first minute, we’re going to be there to put us in a good position over there. I don’t know what’s going to be after 10-15 minutes, but we’re going to be there for the first minute.
“We are right now focused on playing a good game, so the results are going to be after and we’ll see what is going to happen after that. But, yeah, we’re going to try to win.
“We’ll go from the first minute, we’re going to be there to put us in a good position over there. I don’t know what’s going to be after 10-15 minutes, but we’re going to be there for the first minute. We are right now focused on playing a good game, so the results are going to be after and we’ll see what is going to happen after that. But, yeah, we’re going to try to win.”
Aberdeen did stop their losing run with their weekend draw with Hearts. Palaversa was in the middle of things and he thinks the team is heading back in the right direction. He stated: “Yes, let’s say it like that. Let’s say we were back on doing some things we were doing in the past. There were also some parts where we should be better in, so in the future I think we’re going to improve that as well.”
Aberdeen have been one of the most active clubs in the January window, spending more than £1 million so far. The Dons have brought in Kristers Tobers and Jeppe Okkels and this week they added Alfie Dorrington and Alexander Jensen. On-loan Spurs defender Dorrington goes into the squad and Dane Jensen could join him, if he gets his work permit in time.
He added: “Thee haven’t had too much time that I can say right now to say exactly what they can bring, but I think they have qualities and they’re going to show it at Aberdeen.”