Former Cardiff City winger Junior Hoilett has been linked with a move to Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, according to reports by the Press & Journal.
Hoilett is currently a free agent after the expiration of his contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Although he may have most recently applied his trade in the MLS, the winger is best known for his time in the EFL.
During a 14-year stay in England , Hoilett would play for Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City and finally Reading. As a result, he would rack up 266 Championship appearances and a further 161 in the Premier League.
The Canadian would in fact represent three of the four sides he played for in England’s top flight, the only omission being Reading. Although he may have broke onto the scene with Blackburn, he is perhaps most well known for his time with Welsh side Cardiff.
In the 2017/18 Championship season, Hoilett’s performances for the Bluebirds were nothing short of exceptional as he helped them reach the Premier League. He was instrumental to their second-place finish that season and would provide 20 goal contributions in 46 Championship games.
Cardiff fans will no doubt have fond memories of the winger in a blue shirt and although he may have not been able to replicate those performances playing in the top flight, it was still an achievement to get the club there in the first place.
Hoilett’s best days may indeed be behind him, but he does still have something left to give, and a move to Scotland could work out very well for the winger.
Significantly, Aberdeen’s manager is now Neil Warnock, who the Canadian would play under at both Queens Park Rangers as well as the aforementioned Cardiff City. Warnock managed to get the best out of the now 33-year-old during those two spells and a reunion could be due.
Aberdeen currently sit in a lowly ninth place in the SPFL and Warnock has been brought in to help the club rise back up the table as well as to restore some pride after a torrid first half of the season. Hoilett joining the club would certainly help do just that and it is looks to be a move which could help the winger get his career back on track and potentially even Aberdeen’s season.
Writer’s View
Hoilett was incredible during his time at Cardiff as well as during his spells with both QPR and Blackburn. Bluebirds fans will have great memories of his time with the club, especially with the part he played in getting the club into the Premier League.
Neil Warnock got the best out of the Canadian international during their time together and it would be a move that no doubt plenty of fans of various EFL sides would love to see. A move to Scotland could in turn see Hoilett make a move back to the Football League if still retaining his ability.
