Michael Higdon sought advice from Jimmy Calderwood before committing to a two-year contract at Dutch club NEC Nijmegen.

The striker turned down a new contract at Motherwell to make the surprise switch to the Netherlands this week.

The Englishman had previously intimated a desire to remain in Scotland, where his daughter is settled in school, but was drawn in by the level of interest shown in him by NEC. A conversation with Calderwood – who managed the Dutch side between 1997 and 1999 – then convinced him to sign on.

"I spoke to Jimmy Calderwood about NEC and he said it really is a great club," said Higdon. "I had other options, but NEC seemed to want me the most.

"I want to play here. I want to score goals the Dutch League and I believe I can score a lot of them if I get the right supply."