Aberdeen announced on Friday that defender Tommie Hoban has signed a short-term deal until January.

The 26-year-old spoke to RedTV this week:

 

“It has been a hell of an 18 months.

“It did not go exactly how I hoped it would. It has been a bumpy rehab to say the least. But that is behind me now and to get the deal signed last week really was a good feeling. It was great to put pen to paper and to finally get back involved and get back doing what I love to do. I can’t wait to get going now.

“It has been very tough. I don’t like to go on about it too much and talk about it because everybody has their challenges and everyone has difficulties in their lives. But if I am being honest it has been very tough.

“The longer you are out of the game you start to worry about if there are going to be opportunities for me when I come back. And to top it all off, there was then COVID. That was another spanner in the works.

“Mentally there were a lot of tough times but I am fortunate to have a good family around me and they helped to give me the strength and determination to keep going.

“Deep down I still believe I have got a lot to offer and a lot to give to the game and I feel that I have not fulfilled my potential at all yet.

“So the hunger was always there to get back and I have worked hard with various different people over the last 18 months. I am just delighted to be feeling fit again and feeling strong.

“Aberdeen have been fantastic for me. As soon as I had the operation the offer was always on the table to come and do my rehab here.

“I never felt that I was able to give to the club what I had to offer. I think I only played something like ten games in the end so I feel that there is a lot still left for me to do here.

“I really love the area as well and the fans have been unbelievable with me.

“The welcome they give me and the support they have given me on social media has been fantastic.

I have always had a good feeling about the place.

“It is a massive club and the perfect place for me to hopefully stay fit and to get my career going again.

“I want to do something special with the club.”

To watch the interview in full please click on the red button.