Watford have announced that Tommie Hoban will be leaving Vicarage Road this summer. He has had his injury troubles this season, but Aberdeen should really think about moving for the Irish youth international.
Hoban was on loan with the Dons this season. His campaign was ended in February after a cruel ligament injury. He never really got a decent run of games at Pittodrie, playing just nine times overall this term due to injury trouble.
If he can get fit, however, Derek McInnes has to offer him the chance to rebuild his career. A report in the Scottish Sun claims that he is lining up a move for the defender.
This would be a very sensible move if the right terms can be agreed.
On his day Hoban is a class above
A one-year deal would be the best thing to offer him. It gives Hoban a year to prove his fitness, and if he can’t, Aberdeen aren’t stuck paying his wages for a couple of seasons.
When he is fit though, Hoban is a brilliant centre-half. Strong in the tackle and decent at moving people off it, the released Hornet reads the game very well.
He is also very good with his feet. He’s good enough to do a job in defensive midfield, that’s how strong his footwork is. His ability to take the ball from his natural position and glide up to the halfway line with it is immense.
He can fill in at right-back as well, so versatility is another asset to his game. On his day Hoban is a great centre-half, who’d probably be playing at a higher level than the Dons if he was regularly fit.
Hoban is a special talent but he needs minutes, especially next term. The Dons could give him the platform to make his way to where he should be.
If he can get some playing time under his belt next year, a move to Pittodrie could work out brilliantly for both parties. Hoban gets game time and a platform to play on, whilst Aberdeen bag a quality defender for at least another year.