Aberdeen buy Iceland youth Kjartan Mar Kjartansson from Stjarnan

“We must be patient. We must nurture him and, at times, we must protect him to ensure we are able to realise his significant potential.”

Aberdeen’s scouting department had been tracking his progress “for some time”.

“We are pleased to have signed him given the significant interest from some big clubs,” Thelin said.

“He has a very good defensive and positional mind for the game. He has performed well for Stjarnan when winning possession back for his team, makes key interceptions and protecting the team in transition – all the qualities we look for at the base of our midfield and it’s impressive when you consider his age.”

Kjartansson has started eight and come on as a substitute in one of Stjarnan’s 13 games in this year’s Besta deild karla and they sit fourth in the table – the same position they finished last season.

The teenager said: “It’s an amazing feeling to sign for such a big club. Aberdeen is a big club in Iceland – we know the history with the European cups, so it was an easy decision to come here.

“It’s a good move for this stage in my career and I think the Scottish game will suit my style of play.”

Kjartansson’s arrival came on the day Aberdeen announced a shake-up of their youth academy, with one of its aims being to be “more aggressive” in attracting talented teenagers from other parts of Scotland and abroad.