New Aberdeen signing Jeppe Okkels knows if he is to prolong his stay at Pittodrie beyond the summer he has to impress the Red Army during his loan spell.

The Dane became the club's first signing of the January transfer winger on loan from Preston North End, with an option to buy included in his deal.

He had struggled for minutes at Deepdale under Paul Heckingbottom, with Preston fans gutted to see the forward leave after just a handful of outings, including a Carabao Cup clash with Arsenal.

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Okkels previously featured under Jimmy Thelin at Elfsborg for three years before leaving for FC Utrecht and then the English Championship, but he is well aware he has to remind him of his worth in his latest move.

But should Thelin pull the trigger and make his stay permanent, then it could see Paul Bernard's record transfer of £1million shattered, writes the Daily Record.

Bernard helped Oldham Athletic return to England's top flight before moving to Pittodrie in 1995, with the Scot still the only player bought by a club outwith the Old Firm for a seven-figure fee.

And Okkels is now looking to step up to the challenge of ending Aberdeen's current freefall, with the Dons winless in 10 Premiership outings and down to fourth in the table.

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Okkels said: "We have spoken a lot. First of all, I know him (Jimmy) and what he expects from his players, how he sees football and what he wants.

"That is something I have been used to before and hopefully that will be a good fit. For me, the situation I came from in Preston, I was lacking game time.

"It can be a good mix of me bringing some quality to the team and as well I can get a lot of time on the pitch, which I need and I am really looking forward to. I think it is a good fit

"He is one of the managers who is down-to-earth, hard working and also calm and focused on the road. Not just the rest of the week but the focus on the process and performances. I only have good things to say about him.

"I also have to come here and show myself. It is not as if I can come here and get minutes from something before in Sweden.

"I am really focused to once again show who I am and bring the quality I have and I will deserve the time I get on the pitch hopefully."

Okkels has lacked game time this season but is ready to play against Hearts in this weekend's Premiership clash if called upon.

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He stated: "For me, it is about coming here and getting a lot of games, helping the team and the sooner I could get here the more games I would have before the summer.

"Hopefully, I will be ready for the weekend and I look forward to getting going. I am looking forward to that, I can show that and I can have some good months here."

The new boy will also have another familiar face in Sivert Nilsen beside him. They played together at Elfsborg.

Okkels, speaking to RedTV, claimed: "Off the pitch, he is a really good guy, calm and always smiling. He has also become a dad since I last met him. Maybe that has changed him a bit, we will see.

"On the pitch, he is the type of player you want to have in our team and not play against. I used to play with him close to me with Elfsborg.

"I like playing with him because you know what he wants, he is clear in his communication and has a fighting and winning mentality. He is a bit weird sometimes on the pitch but it is what it is."