Aberdeen

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Mats Knoester has signed a contract extension at Aberdeen to 2029 after proving to be an "outstanding addition" since his arrival in February.

The Dutch centre-back, who signed from Ferencvaros on a two-and-a-half-year deal, made 17 Dons appearances last season, including the full Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic as Jimmy Thelin's side prevailed on penalties.

"Mats has been an outstanding addition to our squad, both on and off the pitch, since his arrival at the start of the year," said manager Thelin.

"Securing his services for the next four years is a significant step for us as we continue to build a competitive team capable of competing on all fronts next season."

Knoester, 26, says extending his stay at Pittodrie "feels like the right thing to do".

He added: "The past few months have been very positive for me and since day one, my family and I have been made to feel very welcome. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

"The club has fantastic infrastructure, passionate supporters, and a clear direction for the future.

"I'm looking forward to growing together and I am keen to play my part in the team's future success as we work hard to achieve our goals."

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Aberdeen say they are "finding it increasingly difficult" to hold on to young talent after confirming teenage defender Timothy Akindileni has left to join Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee.

The Pittodrie side say they made "prolonged attempts to persuade" the 17-year-old to stay, but the youngster has opted to join QPR's development squad.

The centre-back impressed in the Dons youth set-up but never played a first-team game for the club.

"We are, of course, disappointed to be losing Timi as we had high hopes for him," said Aberdeen director of football Steven Gunn.

"We made numerous attempts to convince him to stay with Aberdeen, but similar to the issues faced by so many Scottish clubs in recent years, we are finding it increasingly difficult to hold on to our young players."

Gunn adds that Aberdeen have "negotiated a significant deal" that will provide "future protection" if Akindileni develops "into the player we hoped he could be".

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QPR have signed centre-back Timothy Akindileni from Aberdeen.

The 17-year-old will join up with the Hoops' development squad ahead of next season.

Akindileni impressed in the youth set-up but did not play a game for the senior side for the Dons.

"I'm over the moon. There was interest from other clubs but QPR just stood out for me because the development here for young players is extraordinary," he told the club's website, external.

"You can see it through all the young players coming up to the first team, and that's what really persuaded me to come here."

Aberdeen chief executive Alan Burrows says the club's Scottish Cup triumph may jump start talks over a new stadium.

Plans to move away from Pittodrie have slowed recently after a decade of talk around a move away from the club's spiritual home.

A proposed shift to a site near the club's training ground moved on to a regeneration of a beach front site, however Burrows says "plans have slowed down".

"It's been decades in the making," he told Sportsound.

"What can I tell you on the back of all those scenes in Aberdeen over the last four or fives days is a renewed reminder of the power of football but the city of Aberdeen.

"There's certainly been communication with the local authority and myself and others at the club. There's a willingness to get back around the table."

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Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack says up to seven new signings could arrive at Pittodrie this summer as they plan for guaranteed European football through the first half of next season.

The Dons' Scottish Cup final triumph over Celtic means they have a Europa League play-off and, should they lose, will drop into the Conference League.

The club have already signed goalkeeper Nick Suman and winger Nicolas Milanovic.

"Yeah, I would think that anything between five and seven players, maybe at this stage," Cormack told Graham Speirs' podcast Press Box., external

"It's great that with [chief executive] Alan Burrows and [director of football] Steven Gunn being there, they're the guys that are working with the recruitment team on this.

"Because obviously [there are] a number of loan players that we brought in and one or two players kind of out of contract.

"So from what I'm seeing, I'm really impressed with the work the team are doing."

Cormack also didn't rule out a return for 20-year-old defender Alfie Dorrington, who made 16 appearances after arriving on loan from Tottenham in January.

He added: "I know Spurs have been, as I understand it from Steven and Alan, delighted with his loan.

"It's the first time the boy's been away from home in London, and he told me a number of times he's absolutely loved being away on his own, and he looks after himself as a player as well.

"So we'll just have to wait and see on that one."

Getting balance through the squad is also key for Cormack, who reckons the club are well placed to build in their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years.

"In terms of squad planning, we're in the best shape we've been since I've been back involved with the club almost eight years ago," he said.

"We've got a clear squad planning of core players through to development players model, and it's going to take us about another 12 to 24 months to get that there, but following that strategy is important."

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Goalkeeper Nick Suman says it's "an honour" to sign for Aberdeen as he prepares to make the switch from fellow north-east club Cove Rangers.

The 25-year-old Australian will link up with Jimmy Thelin's side next month when his contract at Cove expires, having spent the past two years at the Balmoral Stadium.

"I'm excited to see what the next few years have in store for me," Suman said.

"I've been living here for a couple of years now, I know how big a club this is, and I understand what it means to the fans so it's a real honour to sign for Aberdeen.

"I've been enjoying playing my football at Cove. It's been a great experience and it's provided a real platform for my development, so I'm pleased the hard work has paid off and I'm really thankful this opportunity came up for me. I'm excited to work under the manager and goalkeeping coach, Craig [Hinchliffe].

"I went to a few games at Pittodrie last season, and the atmosphere was incredible. It's special to see how much it means to everyone, and I can't wait to be part of that."

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Jack MacKenzie is among the departures from Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen this summer.

The 24-year-old left-back, a Dons youth academy graduate, played 123 games for the club and signed off with cup success after a substitute appearance in the final win over Celtic last weekend.

Ross Doohan - who played 18 times last season - and fellow back-up goalkeeper Tom Ritchie also depart as free agents. Having agreed a pre-contract in February, Republic of Ireland midfielder Jamie McGrath moves to Hibernian after 16 goals in 81 Dons appearances.

Returning to their parent clubs after Pittodrie loan spells are strikers Kevin Nisbet and Oday Dabbagh, winger Jeppe Okkels and defender Alfie Dorrington.

Manager Jimmy Thelin said: "We would like to thank each and every player leaving the club for their effort and contributions while with Aberdeen and wish them all every success in their future careers.

"Some of these boys have been here for a long, long time and departing a club is always emotional. But they can look back with pride and I am so pleased many of them are leaving with a winner's medal from last weekend."

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We asked for your thoughts on whether Aberdeen should try to sign Kevin Nisbet permanently this summer.

Here's what some of you said:

Scott: Nisbet would be a tremendous signing, if we can get him. He'd worked so hard to get into shape through the season, and we were just starting to see the best of him.

Anon: No, the money should be used to build the squad. It is not a good idea to spend it all on someone who doesn't really fit into the system. Definitely need full-backs and midfield options as well.

Graham: At 28 I think his best years are past him now. If we weren't willing to break the bank to keep Jamie McGrath I don't see us doing anything different for Nisbet. I cant imagine his club will demand a huge transfer for him so in reality it will come down to how much of a cut in wages Nisbet would be willing to take. But I think there are better, younger and hungrier strikers out there that would cost us less money than Nisbet.

Bob: Not for me, Aberdeen can do better than Nisbet.

Steven: Not done enough, scored a few great goals but feel in general his workrate is lacking for Jimmy Thelin's style and wages will be far too high at Millwall.

Fred: No, I am sure there is better value elsewhere. He is not consistent and looked unfit and pretty disinterested a lot of the time. I think he would be a risky signing.

Robert: Yes, l would sign him. He knows Scottish football and l feel he would prove his worth in the second season with Aberdeen.

Want to watch a choir sing Aberdeen songs? Of course you do.

The Jesus House Aberdeen Gospel Choir were spotted belting out Dons chants at the Scottish Cup parade on Sunday.

So BBC Scotland went along on Wednesday to get a full rendition.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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What does this summer mean for Aberdeen and Kevin Nisbet?

Now the dust is settling after a historic Scottish Cup triumph, Dons fans are only just coming to the realisation they have guaranteed European football until December next season.

With the lucrative finances that brings, does that mean the Pittodrie club should get the cheque book out to make Nisbet's loan stay from Millwall a permanent one?

Crunching the numbers, it is clear to see why Aberdeen may look to explore that.

Across all competitions this term, the Scotland striker scored 14 goals and provided five assists in 39 games.

Despite a poor run of form through the winter, scoring just once in 12 league games during Aberdeen's woeful winless run, Nisbet finished the campaign as the Dons' leading Premiership scorer with 11 league goals, none of which came from the penalty spot.

Predictably, that means the 28-year-old also had the most shots on target for Jimmy Thelin's side, and his big chance conversion rate of 55% also catches the eye.

But a somewhat underrated quality of Nisbet, even going back to his days at Hibernian, is his chance creation and ability to link play.

This season, only five Premiership forwards registered more assists than the former Dunfermline striker, who also created 23 chances.

Meanwhile, his total goals and assists contribution of 16 is bettered by just six players across the whole division.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, former Premiership striker Rory Loy said: "Nisbet's had an impact, he's had some really good moments, he's also had some spells there where he's probably not performed to the levels he would like to.

"So I would imagine Aberdeen will have a figure in their head that they're prepared to pay. The good thing about Nisbet is he's tried and tested.

"He didn't pull up trees the full time he was there, but he had some really, really good moments and came into form towards the end of the season.

"So you know you're getting somebody who's going to contribute, who can score goals and that's got to be worth a decent amount of money, but I wouldn't be absolutely breaking the bank for him."

Aberdeen fans, has Nisbet done enough to merit a permanent deal at Pittodrie?

Share your thoughts here

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Incoming Aberdeen winger Nicolas Milanovic has won A-League player of the year following an impressive season with Western Sydney Wanderers.

The 23-year-old, who scored 12 goals and provided six assists, became the first Wanderers player to win the award, known as the the Johnny Warren Medal.

Milanovic will join the Scottish Cup winners on a three-year deal, with a club option for a fourth year, when the summer transfer window opens.

Wanderers chief executive Scott Hudson accepted the prize on the forward's behalf and heaped praise on the Australian.

"We're so proud of what he's achieved in the past couple of years," Hudson said.

"We're really glad we could play a part in his career, and we wish him all the best overseas."

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Jimmy Thelin and his players had one game to become heroes and write themselves into Aberdeen history.

In typical fashion of this season, it wasn't easy. We needed 120 minutes, four perfect penalties and two terrific Dimitar Mitov saves to end a 35-year wait for Scottish Cup success.

However, all the nerve-shredding tension was worth it when Graeme Shinnie lifted that famous trophy.

Having no 'Plan B' has been a criticism levelled at Thelin. Yet in the biggest game of our season he switched to a back five and brought in Jack Milne, who was absolutely outstanding. As was every man in red.

We stifled Celtic, nullified their wide men, and the gameplan worked.

It took an own goal to give Celtic the lead but, similar to the stunning start of the season, Thelin's substutitions paid off.

Pape Gueye and Shayden Morris brought pace and physicality Celtic couldn't deal with. Just three minutes and three seconds separated Morris' introduction off the bench and his cross deflecting into the net to send 20,000 of us inside Hampden into delirium. Suddenly there was a real belief it could be our day.

After enduring an arduous extra 30 minutes which felt a lot longer, penalties arrived and just like 2014 the Dons ended their trophy drought with success from the spot.

Pandemonium in the stands, outpouring of emotions, the first Scottish cup victory for a generation. This squad has its place in history. Me and many others have a memory and moment to remember.

To Jimmy and the players, thank you for the perfect, unforgettable end to this season's rollercoaster ride.

European group-stage football now awaits, and a summer transfer window to build a squad to compete. It's exciting times but for now another rewatch of the cup final highlights are in order.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Aberdeen have won the race to sign 25-year-old Australian goalkeeper Nick Suman, whose contract has expired with Scottish League 1 club Cove Rangers, with current third choice Tom Ritchie being released. (Press & Journal), external

Celtic have told third-choice goalkeeper Scott Bain that he can leave the club on a free transfer having agreed to cut short the 33-year-old's contract by a year as they prepare to bring Aberdeen free agent Ross Doohan back to the club as his replacement. (The Herald), external

Aberdeen would be keen to keep 28-year-old on-loan Millwall striker Kevin Nisbet, but the current finances, in terms of a transfer and wages, mean it is unlikely to happen. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

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From Albyn Place, down Union Street to the townhouse, thousands of Aberdeen fans erupted in joy as the Scottish Cup glistened in the late spring sunshine in the Granite City. The streets were a sea of red and white.

The Dons' squad, led by manager Jimmy Thelin and captain Graeme Shinnie shrugged off their late night to parade the silverware which had been won less than 24 hours before.

And what a triumph it had been, against all the odds imaginable.

There had been whispers during the week that Thelin was going to switch his tactics after suffering at the hands of Celtic in recent clashes with the champions. He needed something different and it paid spectacular dividends.

The vanquishing of more than three decades of pain in the Scottish Cup was over. Stenhousemuir, Queen of the South, Darvel. The Dons' fans had their fair share of horror stories to tell along the way which probably made this victory all the sweeter.

The fact chairman Dave Cormack compared it to the feeling of winning the Cup-Winners' Cup in 1983, on the club's greatest day, tells you all you need to know about how important it was.

Defensively they looked assured with Alfie Dorrington, Mats Knoester and the impressive academy graduate Jack Milne standing up to everything Celtic threw at them.

The headline-maker was Dimitar Mitov, the Bulgarian replicating the great Theo Snelders all those years and decades ago, first saving when one-on-one with Daizen Maeda before keeping Callum McGregor and Alastair Johnston out in the shoot-out.

Thelin's subs also made the sort of impact they were making in the early part of the season, particularly Shayden Morris, Pape Gueye and Dante Polvara.

The ultimate prize is of course the fact the Scottish Cup has returned to Pittodrie, which was its second home during the 1980s, but it also saw Aberdeen gazump Hibernian for the European spoils of guaranteed continental competition until December with a stab at the Europa League to come first. The bank balance will get a big boost as a result of that.

Aberdeen fans have had their fair share of disappointments down the years, but the scenes at Hampden and then back home the day after will have made it worth the wait.

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"It's been actually a bit unbelievable. It's much bigger than I thought."

Jimmy Thelin was a little lost for words at the sight of 100,000 Dons fans filling the streets of Aberdeen for the parade of the Scottish Cup.

"We talk about why we do it, and it's for them to enjoy and be proud of the city and all people around Aberdeen and who belong to Aberdeen Football Club," Thelin said.

"It's been an amazing two days and it's going to take a while to let it sink in and get all the feelings and just to summarise everything that's happened in the last two days. It's an amazing time.

"We are here to do everything we can do to put a smile on the faces and travelling around the city on the bus was actually unbelievable, how many people were here.

"I didn't expect that, so it's incredible. We have to enjoy this now.

"I am so happy for all these people, all the effort they have put in all season travelling, they have been there and now they can celebrate together."

Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan has agreed a pre-contract agreement to return to former club Celtic this summer. (Press & Journal), external

Doohan's Aberdeen teammate Jack Mackenzie will also depart Pittodrie on a free this summer having agreed to join Plymouth Argyle. (Sky Sports), external

On-loan Aberdeen defender Alfie Dorrington has revealed that several of his Tottenham Hotspur teammates tuned in to watch the Dons' Scottish Cup triumph. (Daily Record), external

I wrote Aberdeen off at Hampden Park on Saturday. Everyone did. But this was history, the year of the underdog.

Even when no-one else really did, the squad believed they would lift the Scottish Cup and that's the key to any success - belief.

Listening to the Pittodrie players post-match, they had that confidence despite their previous, and even recent, results against Celtic, which were 5-1, 5-1, 1-0 and 6-0 in their last four meetings.

This was a statement win and it really feels like a historic day, not just for Aberdeen, but the rest of Scottish football.

To see a team outside the big two do this is an amazing moment.

Read Shaun Maloney's column in full here.