Mats Knoester is ready for the challenge of getting Aberdeen back on top form after being given a pep talk from his former teammate and ex-Dons defender.

Stefan Gartenmann, who previously featured on loan at Pittodrie under Barry Robson, played alongside the Reds' newest defender at Ferencvaros in Hungary. And it was his warm words of encouragement that made Knoester realise joining Jimmy Thelin's side was a no brainer as they look to return to winning ways against Dunfermline on Sunday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Scottish Cup clash, Knoester said: "I wanted to have a challenge. I wanted to have a chance to play again in an attractive league, in an attractive area. When Aberdeen called, I knew about them—it’s a historical club.

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"I spoke to Stefan, for example, and he told me lots of positive stuff. It was pretty clear to me to come here. Stefan heard that there was some interest, so he sent me a text asking if it was true or what was going on.

"We spoke, and of course, I asked some questions about how it is here. He had a very good experience, so we talked some things through. He knows me quite well because we spent a lot of time together in the last six months.

"So he could also have an opinion on whether he thinks it’s a good fit. I just used this information to get to know Aberdeen a bit more from a player’s side, and that made the decision easier."

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Aberdeen fans have a strong connection with the Netherlands, from watching their old heroes like Theo Snelders and Hans Gillhaus and being entertained by the football they play.

Knoester isn't wanting to give too much away just yet, and wants to save his talking for the pitch, but he opened up on his football upbringing and gave fans a taste of what to expect while also sharing what he expects from Scotland's top flight.

Knoester added: "I was raised in Holland, and came through the Dutch football school. It is known for trying to play football — technical, building up from the back.

"That’s what we are raised with in Dutch football culture. But I also learned in other countries and leagues to be physical. In Denmark, at AGF, it is a physical league, so I learned a lot there as well.

"I wouldn’t say I followed Scottish football every week, but as a football player and someone who follows football, the Scottish league is interesting. A few teams are known more as a foreigner, and Aberdeen is one of them. I know the Scottish league is fast, physical, and an attractive league to watch.

"I don’t like to talk too much before showing something, so first I just want to show my qualities and help the team. Of course, you always hope and want to be important for the team, for the club, and make a name.

"I took my time with this decision because I wasn’t feeling like it was it when some clubs were interested. But when Aberdeen came in, all the pieces fell together. It felt like the right move."

Knoester joined Aberdeen on deadline day at a time when they badly needed reinforcements, and in that players who can take on the task of ending a 14-game winless run in the Premiership.

The Dutchman knows a thing or two about pressure, having played on the Champions League stage with his former club, but he is ready to take on his next challenge of steering the Dons to Europe.

He said: "I think that’s one of the reasons Aberdeen brought me in (to deal with pressure). In my first year at Ferencváros, I played most of the games, and I learned how to handle that pressure.

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"I’ve heard a lot about the atmosphere and saw a video before signing that introduced me to the club. You can already feel the vibe. Walking into the stadium, you can feel the historical part—the wood, the old stands, everything—it just breathes football culture. I’m looking forward to feeling that with the fans and getting a good result out of that.

"The first thing is to get to know each other well, and quickly. In training, you already see what types of players everyone is. I have watched clips to see what has gone wrong in previous games, and then I think it is about building trust, and getting that win. The energy is still positive, but when you lose a lot of games, you need that win to turn it round. This is a chance on Sunday to do it.

"I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t have confidence in Aberdeen, and that we can have good results. The first part of the season showed Aberdeen is capable of good results, it was going very well.

"The long spell without winning is frustrating, normally it is more up and down, but now it is a lot of wins and a lot of losses, so it is strange maybe, but we are in a positive position still, and if we can get the small things right a win is close.”

"I’ll try to add my technical side, but the physical side, I know I need to get my fitness and rhythm back. Once I do, I’ll be fine handling the physical side of the league. I enjoy a bit of aggression for sure."