CAL’S PROUD OF MAGPIES EXPERIENCE

By Jon Couch

SPOTTED: Callum Roberts netted 17 league goals for Notts County last season, earning him a summer move to Aberdeen

PICTURE: Alamy

CAL ROBERTS says the opportunity of swapping Notts County for Aberdeen was one “he couldn’t turn down”.

The 25-year-old has proved himself as one of Non-League’s top performers over the last two and a half seasons since joining the Magpies from Blyth Spartans in January 2020.

Now he is being backed to become a big hit in the Scottish Premiership after Aberdeen met County’s valuation for the right winger last weekend.

Roberts, a former Newcastle United academy graduate, scored 17 goals for County last season as they progressed to the National League play-offs.

And he says he will take some very fond memories of his time at Meadow Lane.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank the owners Chris and Alex [Reedtz] for allowing me this opportunity,” Roberts said in a statement.

“I am also very grateful to all the managers, staff and players I’ve worked with at Meadow Lane, and of course the fans who have always supported me through the highs and lows.

“It was always going to be tough saying goodbye to a club I loved playing for but I feel this is an opportunity I can’t turn down.

“The team is in a good place this season and I can’t thank Luke [Williams, manager] and Ryan [Harley, head coach] enough for how much they helped me in these past weeks.

“I’ve made friends for life and memories I’ll never forget.

I’ll be a fan for life and wish the club the best of luck for the coming season.”

Although naturally proud of Roberts’ progression, boss Williams admits the front man, who scored 17 league goals last season, will be difficult to replace.

“It was hugely disappointing, but ultimately the club thatt pursuedCallum weree verycompetitive with their offer and met the valuation the club put on Callum,” he explained.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for Cal to pursue, it is a good club at a good level and it can take him to different places. I am absolutely gutted to lose him, but all things considered it was the right thing to do.”