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Hampden hero Dimitar Mitov decided in January he would leave Aberdeen this summer. The Bulgarian international ended his two years at Pittodrie by making a £450,000 move to German side St Pauli last week. Speaking in an exclusive Record Sport ‘In Conversation’ interview, Mitov admitted he had achieved his goals at Aberdeen by lifting the Scottish Cup and playing in the groups stage of European football. At the turn of the year he knew it was time for a new challenge, but before leaving he wanted to ensure Aberdeen retained its Premiership status. The 29-year-old stated: “When I signed for Aberdeen I had two targets in mind. I wanted to win a trophy and play in the European groups stage. “The only thing left to achieve is winning the league and let’s be honest, that is very, very difficult to do. Hearts went so close last season, but I don’t think anyone will have a chance like this again. I probably knew around January that I was leaving. I knew I had to leave and I needed to leave.” Jimmy Thelin started the season as Aberdeen's manager, was replaced by interim Peter Leven and finally Stephen Robinson came in from St Mirren to keep them in the top-flight. Mitov was honest with his intentions from the start under Robinson. Aberdeen was struggling at that time and the big keeper was also toiling with an on-going groin injury that required surgery. He confirmed: “I have to say, the gaffer, Stephen Robinson, has been unbelievable for me. The amount of support and trust he has shown in me, I can’t repay. “When he took the job, I was very honest with him. I said in the summer I would like to leave. He understood. "I was very honest with him and he was very honest with me. “One of his first games was St Mirren away. He pulled me and said I want to show you respect, I am going to play PK (Per Kristian Bratveit). The game against St Mirren happened and in my head I was thinking, 'I am out of the team; I will go and get the surgery. “I was barely training, I was on painkillers and I wasn’t right. I couldn't kick the ball and it was a difficult moment for me. I was hoping to get the surgery as soon as possible and I was speaking to the surgeon in London, but then football changes very quickly. “Performances weren’t great but he (Robinson) pulled me into his office and asked me to accept his apology. This was why I wanted to play for him, why I think he is an unbelievable man-manager. “He didn’t need to apologise to me because he is the manager and he is getting paid to make decisions. For him to say that showed so much respect and I just couldn’t let the guy down. “He said play until we are safe then go and get your surgery. When it comes to the summer I will do everything I can to get you the best deal possible. I wanted to do that for him and the fans. I couldn’t leave the club knowing we were in the play-offs." Aberdeen scrambled over the line and Mitov was able to get his surgery but playing through the pain barrier cost him another eight weeks on the sidelines. The 29-year-old stated: “I wanted to help the team and I feel like I did that.We should never have been where we were and we needed to get out of that situation. "When I had the surgery, the doctor told me it was much worse than we originally thought because I kept playing and it became worse and worse. I was meant to be four weeks and ended up being 12 weeks because I delayed the surgery." Robinson was true to his word, helping Mitov secure his summer move, which also allowed Aberdeen to bring in Marius Muller. Mitov recalled: “He said I need to bring a goalkeeper to cover myself. I said that is absolutely fine by me and I told him if you need me then I will play for you. “He said, 'wherever you want to go I will speak to the board and help you to go'. When the offer came from St Pauli I wanted to take it and the board was happy with the offer, so here we are.” The popular keeper was glad that it was a win-win for all parties because he will be forever indebted to Aberdeen. “Aberdeen did so much for me," Mitov insisted. “They completely changed my career. “I became No.1 for my country, I have won a major trophy and played in Europe. I wanted the club to get as much money as possible and I wanted the best deal for both parties. I was happy that happened and all parties got what they wanted.”