Aberdeen’s new signing Andrew Driver believes his best years as a footballer are in front of him.
The attacking midfielder appeared to have the world at his feet when he broke through the Hearts ranks.
In June 2010, Chelsea were rumoured to be lining up a £5 million bid to take the England under-21 international to Stamford Bridge with the Jambos already having rejected the advances of Burnley, Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough and FC Twente.
However, the big-money transfer move never materialised and Driver’s later years at Hearts were hampered by injuries. He had knee surgery in 2010 and 2011.
Driver was instrumental in helping Hearts to a famous 5-1 Scottish Cup final victory against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian in 2012 before leaving for a fresh challenge in the MLS with Houston Dynamo the following year.
The American dream turned sour when he was released by Houston last November and he failed to earn a new deal at DC United after a short trial.
But rather than pondering over how his career could have turned out, the 27-year-old is hopeful his injury problems are behind him and only good times lie ahead.
Driver has signed a short-term deal with the Dons until the end of the season and could make his debut against Motherwell at Pittodrie tonight.
He said: “I think the best years are ahead of me they say at 27 you are in your prime.
“My dad actually said to me the other day: ‘Son, you’re 26, you are in your prime, it is time to turn it on’.
“I had to remind him I was now 27 does that mean I’m past my best?
“As you get older, you get to know your body better.
“A few years ago I was struggling to train twice a week and my legs couldn’t handle it. But in the last couple of years that has changed.
“I learned a lot in America and I never missed a training session last year. I feel confident to give it my all every day.
“I still have a little bit more improving to do but that comes with hard work.
“Now I am able to train every day I feel I can get that improvement.”
Driver joined the Aberdeen squad for the training camp in Tenerife and performed well enough to persuade manager Derek McInnes that he could make an impact in the club’s final 11 matches of the season.
He added: “Going to Tenerife was the best trial ever.
“When you go away you get the chance to meet the guys and it gave the manager more to see in terms of my attitude and fitness.
“I am coming in at a strange time of the campaign, so it was beneficial for us to have that time in Spain.
“Thankfully, the manager here has given me a chance to show what I can do by signing for Aberdeen until the end of the season.
“The short-term contract is right for both parties as it gives me the chance to come in and show what I can do.
“It gives the club the chance to see what I am all about and what I have got to offer, and to see how we fit.”