Aberdeen buy Latvia captain Tobers from Grasshoppers

Defender Kristers Tobers made his Latvia debut in 2019 and has amassed 37 caps, scoring once

Aberdeen have signed Latvia captain Kristers Tobers for an undisclosed fee from Grasshopper Club Zurich.

The 24-year-old centre-back, who moves to Pittodrie on a three-and-a-half-year deal, has 37 caps and brings "real leadership qualities", according to manager Jimmy Thelin.

"We're really pleased to get this deal for Kristers over the line as we had to fight hard to get him here," Thelin added.

"It's taken a lot of work behind the scenes over the last few months but he believes in what we are trying to build here and how competitive we want to be domestically, and also in Europe."

Tobers becomes the Dons' second signing of the January window after Danish winger Jeppe Okkels arrived on loan from Preston.

Tobers spent three-and-a-half years with Polish side Lechia Gdansk before moving to Swiss Super League club Grasshoppers in summer 2023, going on to make 44 appearances.

The Latvia defender says Aberdeen is the "right place to be" and will "help me to grow".