Sivert Heltne Nilsen: Aberdeen recruit ‘leader’ from SK Brann

Heltne Nilsen left Elfsborg in 2021 and arrives at Pittodrie following three seasons as captain with SK Brann in his homeland.

“There are many reasons for coming here,” he said. “It is an opportunity to play football at a very high level for a number of years and be part of a project with Jimmy, someone I know well.

“I believe he got the best out of me and I want to learn more from him and I want to be part of this project.”

Heltne Nilsen began his career with Hødd, helping the second-tier club win the Norwegian Cup in 2012.

He moved on to Valerenga and had his first spell at hometown club Brann before moving to Denmark with Horsens.

Then came two years under Thelin at Elfsborg before a return to Brann via a brief switch to Beveren in Belgium.

He has played 16 times, scoring twice, in the 2024 season for the side sitting second in the Eliteserien, five points behind reigning champions Bodø/Glimt.

Heltne Nilsen is Aberdeen’s fourth signing of the summer, following goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, striker Peter Ambrose and defender Gavin Molloy.