Dons’ New Dutchman Gets Steeped in Granite

Aberdeen’s new Dutch defender Dave Bus isdetermined to impress Jimmy Calderwood and earn a full contract.

The De Graafschap centre back yesterday finalised a loan deal until the end of the season after sailing through a medical and goes straight into the squad for today’s SPL clash with Hearts at Pittodrie.

Bus is the second player to arrive at Pittodrie in January and may not be the last as the club has opened discussions with Ayr United regarding midfielder Ryan Stevenson.

With the future of Preston North End target Michael Hart still uncertain, the short-term loan of Bus suited both the Dons and the player.

But the 29-year-old, who can play at centre back or right back, is keen to make a full-time switch to Scotland.

Bus said: “I want to stay here at Aberdeen and I hope I can make it.

“My wife is over here now also and we have a good feeling about Aber-deen and Scotland. I want to build my career here. I have five months to prove myself and hopefully I can do enough to earn a long- term contract.”

Bus insisted he knew all about the Dons beforehand but he has also undergone a crash course in Aberdeen history – with the help from club legend and current director of football Willie Miller.

He said: “I knew a little bit of history of the club before I came. The profile of the club has increased recently.

“I saw the Uefa Cup games and the news of the tie with Bayern Munich on Dutch television. The club’s profile is on the rise. People in Holland know all about Celtic and Rangers but they see Aberdeen as the third biggest club in Scotland.”

(c) 2008 Press and Journal, The Aberdeen (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.