Declan Gallagher didn't feature for Scotland at Euro 2020 but Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass reckons the defender will be stronger for the experience as he prepares to welcome him to Pittodrie.
The 30-year-old, who hails from Blantyre, signed a pre-contract with the Dons last season and will officially make the move from Motherwell in the coming week.
Gallagher was one of five Lanarkshire players in the Euro 2020 squad but, along with Wishaw-based Celtic star David Turnbull, didn't play a single minute during the Group D matches against Czech Republic, England and Croatia.
The centre-back was an unused substitute for Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to Croatia and didn't make the matchday squads in the other games, with only 23 of the 26-man pool involved.
Despite that frustration, his new gaffer believes just being part of the camp will be of benefit as the Dons prepare for the new Premiership campaign, which kicks-off on August 1 at home to Dundee United.
“Declan will come to us having trained with that level of player in the Scotland squad," Glass told the Evening Express.
“He probably felt disappointed but there are a lot of players wishing they were in his shoes.
“There are a lot of people very proud of Declan and we are looking forward to adding him to our group.
“I text Declan and said he is doing something that hundreds of players wished they had the opportunity to.”
Gallagher, who is a regular on social media, acknowledged the disappointment on his Twitter page, adding that he is still proud to have been part of the country's first appearance at a major tournament for 23 years.
He tweeted:
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