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Dennis Adeniran is, by his own admission, a free spirit and somewhat of a risk-taker. A cursory glance at his career to date tells the story after recent stints in Portugal and Israel.

The former Fulham midfielder - once sold to Everton for £4m - played just nine times across spells with Portimonense and Hapoel Petah Tikva.

Neither move quite worked out as Adeniran had hoped but quickly his switch to St Mirren has borne fruits in his playing time and personal life with partner Shanae and their son Kasey in Scotland.

"I'm a bit of a free spirit," said Adeniran. "I went to Portugal and Israel and it didn't work out, you have to take some risks in life. 

"Both of those moves didn't work out so hopefully this one does and so far I'm enjoying it.

"From the first day, everyone has welcomed me, it feels like a family club here and I feel comfortable here.

"I've been away for quite a while now and it's good to be home. Even though Scotland's not home, it's closer to home in my eyes.

"My partner has sorted out all of the off-the-pitch things so I can focus on the pitch. She just wanted to come home as she's had enough of all of the travelling. 

"She's buzzing to be in Scotland. It's the first time I've heard about Palsiey but it's actually a nice area and I like it."

Adeniran's footballing pedigree has been realised rapidly by Paisley punters after Stephen Robinson finally landed the midfielder five years on from trying to sign him on loan at Motherwell.

The relationship with Robinson sealed a free transfer move to St Mirren for Adeniran with a second year in Paisley possible through an appearance-based contract clause.

"That was one of the main factors why I've come here," said the former England youth internationalist of Robinson's desire to sign him. "The gaffer wanted me when I was at Everton but being abroad for a year and not really knowing how things work, coming back here with a manager who wants you and wanted you before is all that I needed.

"It's about building myself back up, being nice and strong and getting the games in.

"The conversation I had with the gaffer was about getting a platform so it's up to me to perform and to keep that shirt."

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Adeniran is positive about the potential to extend his stay in Scotland and has already set lofty heights for St Mirren with a fourth-placed finish in his sights this term.

He added: "I'm going to take it week by week, get as many games as possible and get European football again next season.

"We want to finish fourth this season. The quality is high, everyone is good on the ball and physically strong.

"The gaffer has said before that he has brought in quality—two players for every position so we push each other every day.

"That's only going to make us better. I don't watch a lot of Scottish football but with the team we have, I feel we should push for more.

"More than last season and I feel we can do that. "

St Mirren take on Aberdeen on Sunday - following their draw against SK Brann in the Conference League on Thursday - and Adeniran sees it as another opportunity to get back to his top-level.

With managers including Carlo Ancelotti and Ronald Koeman in his past and experience at the youth Euros with England, Adeniran knows he is not currently performing at his ceiling but expects he can return to his peak at St Mirren.

"It makes me more determined as I have been at that level," said the 25-year-old. "I have experience now and it's about getting back to how I was before.

"It's about having a good support system behind you. If you are grounded then things in football can change so quickly.

"You can be up and then down for a few years and it's about how mentally strong you are and keep chipping away at it.

"They are very good managers you have listed but that can also go against you. You can be close to breaking through or getting a good connection with a manager and he gets sacked so as a young boy you need to start all over again.

"It can be a good and a bad thing at the same time but I have learned a lot from all of those managers."

Ahead of the lengthy trip to Pittodrie on Sunday, Adeniran joked: "I'm going to buy some snoods and gloves!"