Jayden Richardson looked on as Calvin Ramsay earned his big move to Liverpool. Now Aberdeen’s new right-back hopes to fill his boots at Pittodrie.
The 21-year-old signed a three-year contract last week as the Dons snapped him up from Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest. The pacy defender spent most of last season on loan at National League side Notts County, where he caught the eye of Pittodrie’s recruitment team.
Ramsay, 18, was paraded by the Anfield giants just the day before his own unveiling as Aberdeen sealed a deal that could eventually be worth £8million to them. And Richardson hopes he can make the Red Army forget about the full-back. He said: “I haven’t seen too much of him, I’ve watched him on YouTube. He’s done amazing and left big shoes to fill.
“Hopefully I bring what I can to the table and do as well. I’ll be a big part of the team going forward too and hopefully I can show that on the pitch.
“It was a bit rough and tough last season but I was at a team that played football and once we got playing, it was good. Aberdeen want to do that too. It was a big factor in me coming here – how the manager wants to play and how I’d fit in.”
Richardson spoke to former Forest team-mates Scott McKenna and Max Lowe about the move to Scotland. McKenna came through the Reds’ youth academy while Lowe spent the 2018-19 season on loan at the club.
And Richardson said: “I spoke to Scott and Max, they couldn’t speak highly enough of the club. They told me about their experiences and what they did here. Looking at what they’ve done here influenced me a lot and it was good to talk to them.
“Hopefully I can win over the fans like they did. I can’t wait to play for them at Pittodrie. I create a lot of chances – well, I did last season – so hopefully I can do that again. I’ll bring pace, power, energy and an enthusiasm to the team. Everything I did last season, hopefully I can do it and more this one.”
Richardson made four first team appearances for Forest during his time at the City Ground, having signed a pro deal the club in April 2019. Like Aberdeen, Forest’s glory days were in the late 1970s and early ’80s when they won the European Cup twice.
And Richardson insists he is well equipped to deal with the pressure of playing for Jim Goodwin’s side. He said: “Coming to Aberdeen, it’s such a massive club and there are high expectations from the fans. Coming up from Nottingham Forest, they’re a huge club too. So being in and around it and seeing what it’s about, it means everything to the fans. It’s a big thing for me.
“It’s an amazing club. I haven’t had much time to see the city but the club and training ground facilities are amazing.
“We’re in Spain now but when I was back in Aberdeen it was good to get settled in and meet all the boys. It’s a fantastic club.
“I came up and had a look around and when I did that, it just fit me. I knew I’d come up here, work hard and be away from what I’m used to.
“When you come away from something that you’re used to, you have a completely different mindset towards your work and what you need to focus on. That was a big factor in my decision.”
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