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Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson insists the club can get value for money with signing players from overseas as 'crazy money' is being asked for some English lower league players.

Boss Stephen Robinson revealed Aberdeen will search overseas for signings as English lower league clubs are demanding “crazy, crazy” money for players.

Pittodrie gaffer Robinson says clubs in the English fourth tier are demanding a fee of up to £1million for players that are untested at a higher level.

And the players are demanding up to £9,000 per week in wages.

That is beyond Aberdeen’s financial reach.

Which is why the Dons will continue to scour the overseas markets for quality players at affordable prices away from the inflated English market.

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson during the 1-0 win against Cove Rangers in a pre-season friendly. Image: SNS

Prior to the summer transfer window opening Robinson confirmed he would sign a core of UK based players, or players with Premiership experience, in his squad rebuild.

The Pittodrie gaffer has delivered on that pledge as six of his eight signings to date fit that profile.

Aberdeen’s overseas signing business

Aberdeen have landed two overseas signings with no Premiership experience so far – Moroccan international striker Ayoub Mouloua and midfielder Alexander Briedl.

Mouloua, 23, was signed for a six-figure fee from Moroccan top-flight FUS Rabat.

Capped twice Mouloua penned a three-year contract with Aberdeen holding the option to extend that to a fourth.

New Aberdeen signing Ayoub Mouloua at the club’s Cormack Park training complex. Supplied by Aberdeen FC .

Briedl, 24, was secured on a free following the expiration of his contract at Austrian Bundesliga club FC Blau Weiss Linz and penned a two-year contract.

Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel and head of recruitment Darren Mowbray are working on securing further signings in the summer window.

Robinson says the Dons aim to find a balance of UK based and overseas players due to the prohibitive fees and wages demanded south of the border.

Aberdeen summer transfer window signings Toyosi Olusanya (R) celebrates with Alexander Briedl after scoring against Cove Rangers. Image: SNS

The Dons boss said: “What you get abroad is value for money for players.

“I was looking at strikers and midfielders and looking at League Two players that clubs want £1million for.

“And the players want £8,000 or £9,000 (a week).

“Crazy, crazy money for players WHO maybe haven’t proven themselves at a really high level.

“So you do get a lot better value for money overseas.

“But they have to be players that fit into the way we play and fit into Scottish football.

“And that’s not easy.”

Robinson also raided the American MLS to sign Toyosi Olusanya (Houston Dynamo) and Connor Ronan (Colorado Rapids).

Both have experience of the Scottish Premiership.

Robinson: ‘People underestimate the Scottish game’

Olusanya was on loan at Aberdeen from Houston for the second half of last season.

The striker also played at St Mirren under Robinson.

Midfielder Ronan spent a season on loan at St Mirren in 2021-22 from Wolverhampton Wanderers before his switch to the United States.

Robinson admits whilst overseas signings can deliver value for money it is also vital the research is done to prove they have the qualities to quickly adapt to the Premiership.

The transfer window strategy was to build a solid core with signings that can then give a platform for creative additions, like Mouloua to shine.

Aberdeen also splashed out a six-figure fee to sign winger Tony Yogane from English Premier League side Brentford on a four-year contract.

Robinson said: “People underestimate Scottish football with the pace and physicality of it.

“However, we believe that the players we bring in will be complemented by more of a base to the team.

“And then they can show their ability.

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson talks to Aberdeen's Tony Yogane whilst the players have a hydration break during a pre-season friendly against Cove Rangers.

“We get players like Tony on the outskirts and the wings that can do their individual brilliance.

“And they will be surrounded by boys that’ll do the hard work and physical side of the game.”

Aberdeen are currently at a warm-weather training camp in the Netherlands.

Helping new signings settle at Dons

They will face Dutch top flight side FC Twente in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

On their return to the Granite City the Reds will face Ross County in a closed door bounce game next week.

They then jet out to Belfast to play Linfield on Saturday, July 11 in the final friendly of the pre-season.

Aberdeen then begin their campaign with a trip to Highland League champions Brora Rangers on Tuesday, July 14.

With eight players secured in a major summer rebuild Robinson understands the importance of the new look squad gelling quickly.

And he has introduced a measure to help that.

He said: “We spend a lot of money bringing players in but it’s important that they settle quickly.

“It’s important they fit into the culture quickly and we’ve tried to implement that.

“You want to make sure that person’s happy.

“We’re trying to designate players to look after the new signings.

“So we’ve designated four players to each player to make sure they settle in.

“When you enjoy coming to work and you enjoy people’s company you’ll run a little bit further.”