GLOVE STORY

New Dons keeper Mitov is delighted his St Johnstone mentor has signed at Pittodrie as pair eye another big chapter in their careers

- SCOTT BURNS

DIMITAR MITOV was one of the top performers in the Premiership last season and is confident that his Aberdeen move can take him up a level.

The goalkeeper cleaned up at St Johnstone's Player of the Year awards and his impressive displays also saw him make his long-awaited breakthrough into the Bulgaria squad.

The 27-year-old's heroics also convinced new Aberdeen coach Jimmy Thelin to trigger his release clause and bring him north in a six-figure deal.

It has also helped that Thelin moved to bring in goalkeeping coach Craig Hinchcliffe from Saints to give Mitov some stability and continuity.

Mitov said: "I had a lot of offers before I went to St Johnstone. I had offers from teams in England.

I spoke to Hinchy and what he predicted has happened.

"I was really chasing that Bulgaria call-up. I wanted to become an international player and for him to take my game to another level was huge.

"I am always going to be grateful but I have other levels in my game. I feel with him being my coach again that we can achieve that.

"He rang me and told me he was joining Aberdeen. I was really surprised but really happy.

"He is great because he knows how to get the best out of me.