Latvia captain Kristers Tobers has sealed a £700k move to Aberdeen.

The 24-year-old Grasshoppers defender, who has been capped 37 times by his country, was as one of boss Jimmy Thelin's top January targets as he looks to get the Dons stuttering campaign back on track. After a dream start to life at Pittodrie, Thelin has watched his side fall to fourth in the Premiership table behind Dundee United - after a horror run of just one win in their last 11 games.

And Tobers says he followed his heart to make the move to Scottish football, commenting: “I’m really happy to be here. It’s been great to be at the training ground to meet all the players and I am looking forward to this new challenge. From listening to the manager and the coaching staff it felt like this was the right place to be. I felt in my heart this was the right decision for me. I believe this opportunity will help me to grow, it will help develop me physically, technically and mentally. It’s not easy to move out of your comfortable zone.

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“Aberdeen is such a big club in Scotland, even the response to the rumours in recent weeks have been so positive. It is clear they love football but it’s a big responsibility to show them we can win and make them happy and I just want to help the players here try to do that.”

Tobers has inked a three-and-a-half-year contract, subject to UK Visa and immigration formalities, with boss Thelin delighted to get his man after an intense week of negotiations. He said: “We’re really pleased to get this deal for Kristers over the line as we had to fight hard to get him here.

“It’s taken a lot of work behind the scenes over the last few months but he believes in what we are trying to build here and how competitive we want to be domestically, and also in Europe. Kristers is the consummate professional and not only will he fit into our style of play but he will add real leadership qualities to the squad.

“Despite his relatively young age we believe he will help our younger, developing players and we are confident will be a player that will make an immediate positive impact on and off the pitch.”

Tobers only moved to Switzerland from Polish side Lechia Gdansk in 2023, but Swedish boss Thelin believes the defender is just what the Pittodrie side need to shore them up at the back. The Dons have already signed Danish winger Jeppe Okkels on loan from Preston for the season, with an option to buy and is also targeting Brommapojkarna defender Alexander Jensen.

Posteing an emotional farewell message to fans of his former club, Grasshoppers Zurich, on Instagram, he said: "Dear GCZ fans, I want to thank all of you for your support, energy, passion and love that you have shown throughout these one and a half years. You have made every game unforgettable! Though I'm moving on to a new chapter with a different team, I will be forever grateful.

"Dear GCZ staff, big thanks to each and every one of you for your hard work and support, I truly appreciate everything that you've done. Finally it's been a pleasure to play alongside such talented and dedicated teammates! Thank you for making my time here so special. I wish you all the best for the season ahead and beyond. Hopp GC!"