Danny Ward played 45 minutes against St Johnstone on Sunday and the Liverpool keeper did very well considering he only met all his new team mates on Friday. He looks like being another excellent signing by Derek McInnes. 

Danny spoke to RedTV and started by telling us how the move came about. “I first heard about the interest from Aberdeen when I was on holiday and my agent phoned me. I then only found out the deal had actually gone through a couple of days before arriving in Scotland. I had to tie up a few loose ends before travelling north and then was straight into a double session before being involved in the game on Sunday.

“As I was away with the Wales squad I did not get much of a break during the summer but I don’t mind. That is football.

“I had to very quickly get to know all the boys names. Gordon Marshall was also in a very similar situation as his first day at the club was also on Friday. I am looking forward to working with him and as well as the other keepers.

“Living in Liverpool Ash (Taylor) was just over the water. I know Ash from the Wales set up and we have known each other since we were young lads. We played together in the U21s where we were both capped so we have spent a lot of time in each other’s company. Having a face that I already know is nice and he has helped me settle in. He has also warned me about the Aberdeen weather!

“I don’t know any of the other lads but they have all been brilliant with me since I arrived especially all the goalkeepers. There is a GK Union at every club. That is important as we spend so much time in each other’s company. Although there is a lot of competition because there are three or four of you going for the one spot, we all still support each other. It is friendly competition.

“There was interest from other clubs but I felt the move to Aberdeen was the right one for me. The move is something I think I have needed for a couple of season really but circumstances with goalkeepers at Liverpool did not allow me to do that. So I am really looking forward to hopefully getting some game time and hopefully playing well for the club.

“Although I am a big football fan I do not know too much about Scottish football. However I knew Aberdeen was a big club before I came up and I have been very impressed with the way the club is run. As I say all the staff and the lads have been brilliant with me. At the end of the day we are all here for the same purpose and we are all pulling in the same direction.

“My first competitive game could in Europe and that is exciting. It is a different type of challenge. The UEFA Europa League is a great competition to be in and it is a competition Aberdeen should be in because of the size of the club.

“I experienced being in European with Liverpool. In the Champions League it is compulsory that you take three goalkeepers with you to away games. So even though I might not even be on the bench I would still get to travel and train with the team. The experience in that competition was fantastic. We had Real Madrid in our group last year so I got to see all the superstars they have and it was a great occasion, two of the biggest teams in Europe playing each other. It is all good experience and part of my footballing education. I am now looking forward to hopefully playing in Europe. Hopefully I will be playing in the big European games instead of watching them.

“The aim is to push for the number one jersey. I would not have come up otherwise. I am looking to play first team football. There are some good goalkeepers here so I know I will have to work hard and play well to get into the side. It will be a good challenge.

“It is all about development for me at the minute. I know that I am 22 years of age and I am nowhere near the finished article. I still have a lot to learn. Hopefully I can come here and get some game time, play in front of big crowds, for a big club, playing in some big occasions. Hopefully that will put me in good stead and help my development for when I return to Liverpool.”     

It could be a big season ahead for Danny. As well as hopefully enjoying a successful campaign with the Dons there is a very real chance he could be going to a major tournament next summer. Wales are in a great position to qualify for the European Championships after an historic win over Belgium recently. And with Northern Ireland and Scotland also having a chance to qualify there could be a number of Aberdeen players heading to France for Euro 2016.

“There is a lot of real excitement around the Wales squad. The Belgium result was massive for us. It was a massive confidence boaster to beat the second best team in the world. We now just have to knuckle down and get on with the job in hand. Hopefully we can continue the good form that we are in and qualify. It would be massive for the whole of Wales as it has been so long since they played at a major championships. Being part of that would be very special.”