I always told dad I'd make it & Serie A is my dream..I couldn't say no

Ramadani's off to a flier at Lecce but he'll never forget the Dons

- SCOTT BURNS

ABERDEEN IN EUROPE - 1 DAY TO GO

YLBER RAMADANI admits he couldn’t turn down the chance to star in Serie A because it was his burning ambition to play in one of Europe’s top leagues. 

The Albania international made his seven-figure move from Aberdeen to Leece earlier this month.

He had struck up a real rapport with the Red Army and established himself as a firm favourite in his season at Pittodrie, having played a major role in leading them to third place and back into Europe.

It was hard to walk away but he knew he had a once-in-a-lifetime shot at his dream.

Ramadani said: “It is a big step for me and I had to take it.

“When I was a kid, I always dreamed of playing in one of the best leagues in the world. Serie A is the second-best league in the world and, for me, it was a dream come true. I told my father I have been away from home for 12 years and I always told him I was going to make it.

“So when the chance came I had to say to Dave Cormack, Alan Burrows and Steven Gunn, ‘I need to move because this is my dream to play in Serie A’.

“I have to thank Aberdeen because they have given me this opportunity and allowed it to happen.”