New signing Mats Knoester reveals his motivations for joining Aberdeen FC.
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In a surprising turn of events, Mats Knoester, the newly signed centre-back for Aberdeen FC, has revealed that he turned down a lucrative offer from another club to join the Scottish side. The 26-year-old Dutch defender, who recently departed from Hungarian club Ferencvaros, stated that his decision was driven more by ambition and the potential for success than by financial gain.
Ambition over financial incentives
Knoester’s move to Aberdeen comes after interest from several clubs, including one that offered a significantly better financial package. However, the defender emphasized that the challenge and the vision presented by Aberdeen were more appealing to him.
“There were other clubs interested, but there was something missing,” Knoester explained. He noted that while one offer was financially attractive, it lacked the competitive challenge he sought.
Moreover, Knoester had the option to return to Holland, where he already had an apartment, making the transition easier. Yet, he felt that joining Aberdeen was the right choice after discussions with the club’s management. “When I was trying to find out what the best option was, Aberdeen called. I’m not going to lie, financially you also need to earn your money as I have two kids. But it is not the most important thing – otherwise I could have made other choices,” he stated.
A new chapter in his career
Having signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Dons, Knoester is now focused on making an impact in the Scottish Cup against Dunfermline. His work visa has been secured, allowing him to debut shortly after his arrival. The defender’s previous experience includes winning the Hungarian league title with Ferencvaros and participating in the Europa League, where he contributed to the team’s success in reaching the last-16.
Knoester’s ambition to help Aberdeen reclaim its status as a competitive force in Scottish football is evident. He expressed excitement about the club’s plans and the clear vision laid out by the management. “Aberdeen is the club of the city, a big club which has won prizes in the past, but it has been a while. I saw their plans and that there is a clear vision. They want to build the club and I can see us having success together,” he said.
Learning from past experiences
Reflecting on his previous experiences, Knoester shared insights from his time in Denmark, where he played in the Danish Cup final with Aarhus, ultimately losing to Silkeborg IF. He described the final as an exciting game but lamented the missed opportunity. “For me, it showed how small the difference can be between winning a cup and losing a cup. That was the biggest lesson – when you get these chances you have to take them,” he remarked.
Now, as he embarks on this new journey with Aberdeen, Knoester is eager to turn his past lessons into future success. He aims to help the club achieve its goals and, ultimately, to add a cup winner’s medal to his collection. “Coming to Aberdeen, I want to be on the other side of it and win things. The club has been in a lot of finals and semi-finals over the years, but the last bit has just been missing,” he concluded.
