Jimmy Thelin is confident his new head of recruitment Nuno de Almeida can open doors for Aberdeen in the transfer market this January.

The window has officially opened and work is ongoing to seek reinforcements for the second half of the Dons' season, and the Portuguese talent scout is leading the club's search.

De Almeida has previously been a scout for Porto and sporting director at Rio Ave, and he is also no stranger to Thelin as he headhunted him to be one of his coaches at Elfsborg before he returned to take him to Pittodrie.

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Initially brought in as an international scout in the summer, de Almeida has now been handed the top job after Chris Badlan’s departure last month, writes the Daily Record.

Thelin stated: "It was an open process and the head of equipment applied for the job and he got the job. It can give us another market maybe but also a good understanding of what we’re searching for."

Thelin’s side are third in the Premiership but he is looking to strengthen every outfield area from defence to upfront.

The Swedish boss is also desperate to get his team back to winning ways after an eight game run without a win. He knows new recruits could bolster his cause.

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De Almeida’s already looking at new markets including Asia and others where he is strong, like Scandinavia. Aberdeen have already expressed interest in Grasshoppers’ Latvian skipper Kristers Tobers.

Thelin admitted he is looking to the short and long-term, as he stated: "Of course, we’re working on things. Not only for the injuries but also trying to progress as a team long term.

"Sometimes you have short-term problems but also you need to not forget what you want to build over time and try to find the right ones for the longer term also."

That previous relationship was big in Aberdeen handing de Almeida their top job. Thelin admitted they struck up a relationship when the talent spotter was scouring Scandinavia.

Thelin explained: "Yeah, exactly like that it was. Then we had a lunch and then we started working together. It was quite a short process. We have some friends coming.

"He was in Scandinavia anyway for Porto and then we talked about if it was interesting to try another journey. Then he was with Elfsborg I can’t remember for how long exactly.

"Then he went back to Portugal again and now our roads crossed again. That’s football sometimes. It’s a big world but still a small world. That’s why it’s good sometimes to always take care of your relations as you never know when you’re going to cross again."

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Thelin confirmed that de Almeida had a dual role at his former club. The Aberdeen boss said: "In that role he was a scout but also an assistant coach. For me, where he was at that point I think he has his knowledge but also connected with the players we already have to understand what we’re searching for.

"It was a good situation that we worked there. It’s different now but in that place at that time. It was a good choice.He knows his target and his job, what he’s searching for."

The likes of Jamie McGrath, Jack MacKenzie and Duk are all out-of-contract and Thelin knows clubs could come in from them this month.

He also had the headache of Slobodan Rubezic and Sivert Nilsen being suspended for tomorrow’s home clash with Ross County. But the former Elfsborg boss warned: "You always have to find a solution.

"Things happen in football. You don’t want it to happen. You don’t want injuries for your players. You don’t want suspensions. People get sick sometimes. Then you have to trust your players and find a solution and believe in that one for that game."