AOUCHICHE IS IN AWE OVER SUPER SWEDE

ADIL AOUCHICHE believes Aberdeen showed huge ambition by luring Jesper Karlsson to the club - and now they have to match that statement of intent by rising up the table.

- BY SCOTT BURNS

Sweden international Karlsson, who boasts five goals in 14 caps, arrived on September 1 ona season-long loan from Serie As Bologna and the attacking midfielder lit up last weekend's win over Dundee with his quality.

The Dark Blues struggled to contain his surging runs and he helped himself to two goals in Sunday's 4-0 demolition job at Pittodrie - the Dons first Premiership win of the season. Karlsson was also on the scoresheet in last Thursday's 3-2 Conference League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Manager Jimmy Thelin was able to persuade his 27-year-old compatriot to come to the Granite City as he previously worked with him at Elfsborg, from where he moved to AZ Alkmaar in 2020 and then on to Bologna for around £9million two years ago.

Karlsson’ inspirational performances have quickly made him a crowd favourite and midfielder Aouchiche acknowledged it feels like a real coup to have him as a teammate.

“Jesper is a really good player,’ said Frenchman Aouchiche, who scored the second goal against Dundee.

“He shows his talent every day in the training sessions and on Sunday he was very good on the pitch.