Ylber Ramadani told Sergio Porrini he had the chance to sign for Aberdeen and he said he should grab it with both hands because he is ready-made for Scottish football.
The Albanian international went through his medical at his national team headquarters and the Dons are now in the process of finalising his visa application so he can become one of Jim Goodwin ’s first signings.
Aberdeen have agreed a fee with MTK Budapest for the 26-year-old midfielder.
Albanian assistant manager Porrini reckons the move will be a win-win for Ramadani, the Dons and the Albanian national team.
Porrini said: “Ylber spoke to me and told me he had the opportunity to join Aberdeen.
“I told him I think it would be a very good move for him because Aberdeen are a big, big club in Scotland.
“I also said to him that I think Scottish football would be good for him and the way he plays.
“Ylber is strong and physical and he has all the attributes to do well in Scotland.
“I am happy for him when he told me because part of my heart is Scottish from my own time at Rangers.
“I will get a better chat with him after the formalities of the contract are finalised.”
Ramadan is seen as a midfielder enforcer and Porrini knows he can be the cornerstone from which the new-look Aberdeen team can be built.
“He has the physical attributes but he also has quality on the ball,” the former Rangers star insisted.
“Ylber plays a lot of the time in the midfield three as the low or the defensive player.
“I think he also has the energy to play further forward as the left or right midfielder as well. He plays more defensively but I think you can get more out of him going further forward.”
Porrini was involved with Christian Panucci when Ramadani was handed his first Albania call-up. He was at Danish side Vejle and the Italian believes he can be a firm favourite at Pittodrie.
Porrini recalled: “We brought him into the Albanian national squad in 2017.
“We called him up when Christian Panucci was in charge. He has remained part of it since then and is now a big player for Albania.
“Ylber has aggression and commitment. Physically and mentally he is strong and I know he is the type of player who will be loved by his teammates, the staff and the fans.
“I have seen him within the Albanian national team and he is a big favourite in our squad. From a coaching point of view, he is great to work with. You ask him to do something and you know he will go and do it to the letter.”
Ramdani is currently in the midst of Nations League action with a trip to Iceland and then games at home with Israel and Estonia. Porrini admitted him and national coach Edward Reja want all their players playing at the highest level and that is why they will be delighted to see Ramdani in red.
Porrini admitted:“We want all our players to be playing at the highest level. “It is good for the players and for the national team. “We saw that when Berat Djimsiti made the step up with Atalanta.
“He had a couple of loan spells in Italy but is now back and holding down a place for Atalanta, even playing in the Champions League.
“When you are playing with better players and teams then you have to improve and will be the same with Ramadani if he finalises his move to Aberdeen.”
Aberdeen are looking to rebuild after finishing just above the relegation positions. Goodwin is looking at a number of domestic and European targets.
He has already targeted the likes of Vaclav Hladky, Charles Dunne, Jamie McGrath and Connor Ronan, although Hearts are in that fight.
