Aberdeen

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Aberdeen have confirmed "historic" player development partnerships with Scottish League Two side Elgin City and third-tier Kelty Hearts.

The Pittodrie club say the agreements follow the introduction of a new Scottish FA initiative that has been "created to boost opportunities for young Scottish players".

Seventeen-year-olds Dylan Ross, Jamie Mercer and Noah McDonnell will all move on loan to Elgin immediately.

Meanwhile, teenagers Lewis Carrol, Joseph Teasdale and Cooper Masson will join Kelty.

Players selected as part of the agreement will be able to switch "between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time".

Clubs can have multiple agreements across the SPFL pyramid, but only one in each tier.

Aberdeen director of football Steven Gunn said: "While we expect it to be a challenge for [the players], the opportunity for competitive first-team football in the professional league system is significant for our players.

"We have taken a view that this is a better progression for our best young players, training daily at Cormack Park under a dedicated transition manager and being exposed to senior first-team football at the weekend, rather than playing against their peer group in Under-19 football."

Midfielder Dante Polvara, centre-backs Slobodan Rubezic and Richard Jensen, plus strikers Ester Sokler and Peter Ambrose, were playing in a second string against Turriff United as Aberdeen's first team were taking on Cove Rangers in Saturday's friendly, suggesting they are surplus to requirements. (Press & Journal), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Aberdeen looked "sharp" in their first pre-season friendly, says manager Jimmy Thelin, as his side defeated League 1 Cove Rangers by two goals.

Ante Palaversa and Nicky Devlin netted for the Dons on Saturday in their first outing since lifting the Scottish Cup in May.

"It was good to have this opportunity to get everybody playing time," Thelin said.

"We're going to have some other games now ahead of us, and it's going to be more and more intense.

"I think everybody's looking sharp. It's still early and we have things to improve on. The main thing today was how the team build up and how we helped and supported each other.

"We have been working on being more available on the pitch to create some relations. Their relations and the connections inside that we share the same picture on the pitch and I think the players help each other.

"It's good to be back, and it's nice to see everyone. Hopefully we can create something good this season."

Following a Scottish Cup victory and qualification for European football last season, we asked for your views on what success would look like for Aberdeen this term.

Here's what some of you said:

Andy: Top-six, a cup final and European football beyond Christmas. I'd settle for that.

Kevin: Playing good football and playing to win every game no matter who it is, belief is key, and a good performance in Europe.

Paul: Third place and get within 15 points of the league winners, decent runs in the cups and European football, then that would be a successful season. A more balanced season would be good, especially tighter games against the Old Firm.

Justin: A more balanced season and clear signs that we are picking up what the manager is putting down, another cup wouldn't go amiss either.

Stephen: Realistically a comfortable top-three finish and at least the semi's in both the cups is the expectation. A good European run would also be a step forward. Real success would be winning a cup or splitting the Old Firm as we won't have the squad depth to actually win the league without significant investment.

Kenny: A good run in Europe, hopefully to the knock out rounds or further. A cup final and a top-three finish in the league.

John: Consistency with good results. Being tough to beat again. I'd like to see group stage Europa League with a couple good results there, obviously I'd like another cup, but top-three has to be the goal every season.

Bruce: With group stage football in the first part of the season we just need to make sure we are in about the top-six going into the second half of the season. Then we can kick on and go after the top-four and Scottish cup.

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European qualification and a first Scottish Cup in 35 years. It is safe to call last season a success for Aberdeen.

But how do Jimmy Thelin's Dons top that?

"I'd accept a treble," Aberdeen fan and podcaster Erin Grieve joked on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Progression in Europe would be really good, because I don't feel like many Scottish teams, other than Rangers, are doing brilliantly in Europe.

"I think what you want is some stability. We don't really want the run we had [at the start of last season] and then the bad run we had.

"But, would I take 10th and another Scottish Cup? Yes, I suppose I would!"

The Pittodrie side kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign on Monday, 3 August at Hearts and find out their Europa League play-off opponents the day after. Their Scottish Cup defence is way down the line.

Six new faces have stepped through the door and more could be on the way following the news chairman Dave Cormack, along with the club's investors, have injected another £8m into the club.

What would success for Aberdeen this season look like for you? Send us your thoughts.

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Reported Aberdeen target Moussa Soumano has signed for Eredivisie side NAC Breda.

Jimmy Thelin's side reportedly made multiple bids for the 19-year-old striker who scored 10 goals in 64 games for French outfit AC Ajaccio.

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack confirmed last week the Dons were "feverishly working" to sign another "three or four players".

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"Technically gifted" attacking midfielder Adil Aouchiche will bring "creativity" to Aberdeen after joining on loan from Sunderland, says manager Jimmy Thelin.

The Dons will have an option to buy the 22-year-old when his season-long loan at Pittodrie expires next summer.

The former Paris St-Germain youngster has played 38 times for Sunderland, who were promoted to the Premier League last term, but he spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Portsmouth, scoring once in 12 games.

"He's a technically gifted player who brings creativity and strong attacking instincts to our midfield," says Dons boss Thelin.

"At just 22, Adil has already played at a high level in France and England. His experience, coupled with his desire to keep improving, makes him a really exciting addition to the group and we believe this is a great environment for him to thrive."

The Frenchman, who has played more than 80 games in France's top tier across spells with PSG, Saint-Etienne and Lorient, added: "It's a special feeling to sign for Aberdeen.

"The best move for me is to come here. Everyone knows it's a huge club in Europe and Scotland.

"I had a really positive and important discussion with the manager, and he made me feel like I was wanted here. He wants me to enjoy the loan spell and bring my qualities and experience to the club."

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Jim Goodwin's difficult Aberdeen experience has "definitely" improved him as a manager, says the Dundee United boss.

After moving from St Mirren to Pittodrie, the 43-year-old was sacked by the Dons board in January 2023 following an 11-month spell in charge.

Goodwin was back in work quickly, becoming United manager two months later, but he was unable to prevent the Tannadice side suffering relegation.

However, he guided the club back to the top flight at the first attempt and led them to a fourth-placed finish last term, beating Aberdeen on the final day to finish above Jimmy Thelin's side.

Asked if he is a better manager as a result of his time at Pittodrie, Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "Yeah, I think I definitely am. I've definitely learned a lot about myself in terms of how I approach certain situations and how I handle certain individuals.

"You have to always try to learn and get better. The past two seasons [at United] have been some of the most enjoyable seasons I've had, certainly as a manager."

Having enjoyed an impressive return to the top tier last season, Goodwin is out to emulate that success next term.

"The fact we finished fourth, everybody, from a Dundee United perspective, would want us to be at least in that top six and competing for those European places," he added.

"We're not stupid. We understand how difficult that's going to be, especially when you see the kind of investment that's been made in some of the other clubs."

Aberdeen have made an improved offer for 19-year-old Ajaccio winger Moussa Soumano after having an opening £500,000 bid rejected. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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New midfielder Kjartan Mar Kjartansson says the scenes following Aberdeen's Scottish Cup win played a part in making the move to Pittodrie.

The 18-year-old Iceland youth international, who has signed a four-year contract, has already played 58 games for Stjarnan's first team, having made his debut aged 16, and believes it's "a good move" for this stage of his career.

"It's an amazing feeling to sign for such a big club and I just can't wait to get started," he told club media.

"I got a warm welcome from the guys, and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

"Aberdeen is a big club in Iceland, we know the history with the European cups, so it was an easy decision to come here.

"It's a good move for this stage in my career and I think the Scottish game will suit my style of play.

"I've heard the fans are very passionate. I saw the footage of them after the Scottish Cup win, so I am excited to play in front of them.

"It gives me the drive to reach that goal and achieve big things with the club."

Listen as Martin Dowden previews the season ahead for Aberdeen with fan and podcaster Erin Grieve and Press & Journal joint sports editor Ryan Cryle.

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Aberdeen have changed the focus of their academy structure to give young players earlier first-team experience by using Scottish football's new loan system while being "more aggressive" in attracting talent from other parts of the country and abroad.

The Scottish Premiership club has decided it will not participate in the new Club Academy Scotland (CAS) Under-19s programme and will instead train players at that level with the first-team under a new "transition coach".

Meanwhile, Aberdeen will make use of the "more flexible" new co-operation agreements with lower-level clubs where young players can be sent out on loan but recalled at any time outside of normal transfer windows.

Aberdeen say it is a result of some "difficult conversations" in an "extensive review" over how "to make best use of our £2.2m annual investment in youth development".

They say the transition of players from youth football to the first-team "has been getting progressively more difficult over the last decade" for all clubs and concluded "we have not adequately resourced" this area.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen were disappointed with the level of compensation for midfielder Connor Barron's switch to Rangers last summer and the effects of Brexit on the UK transfer market.

Director of football Steven Gunn told the club website said they needed a different approach "focusing on quality and not quantity".

"As a result, our young players won't be taking part in the newly adopted CAS U19s programme, but we will compete in the new CAS U17s format where the team will be predominantly made up of our schoolboys playing up an age group," he said.

To "expose our best young players to senior, competitive football at a much younger age", this group, "sitting under the transition coach", who will be appointed in the coming weeks, "will train with first team on a daily basis".

Gunn said Aberdeen "has committed additional budget" and would "take a much more aggressive approach to strategic recruitment of younger players, both from Scotland and abroad, to complement the very best players progressing from our own academy".

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Aberdeen are "feverishly working" through various recruitment processes to identify players who can "fit the key roles" in Jimmy Thelin's side, says chairman Dave Cormack.

The Scottish Cup winners have added forwards Nicolas Milanovic and Kusini Yengi, defender Emmanuel Gyamfi and goalkeeper Nick Suman to their squad.

Cormack insists "patience" is required as the Dons remain "disciplined" in their pursuit of more incomings, but he expects "another three or four" to come in this summer.

"The important thing for us is to be disciplined in the decisions we make in bringing players in," the chairman said in a wide-ranging interview, external.

"There's a lot of competition for the same players, particularly young players in Scotland.

"We just need to be disciplined because with this player trading approach we have, we're making a decision to lose £3m or £4m operationally a year as a club.

"To do that, you need to balance out with, if we're going to spend that more on wages, which will help us - for example, on transfer fees - then the player training model is important for the club."

At the forefront of that model is head of recruitment Nuno de Almeida, who worked with manager Thelin at Elfsborg.

"We've probably doubled our scouting [with the team in place]," added Cormack.

"We've got full-time scouts in Scandinavia and in southern Europe working with Nuno and they are feverishly working through groups of players we believe can fit the key roles Jimmy's still looking to fill.

"It really is a case of trying to be patient and allowing these guys to get on with their work."

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Nicolas Milanovic has promised Aberdeen fans he will bring "a lot of exciting things" when Jimmy Thelin's side kick off their new season.

The Australia Under-23 winger signed a pre-contract with the Dons in May and has been working on his "chemistry" with his new team-mates at their pre-season camp in Portugal.

"It's been good," he told Aberdeen's club media. "Everyone's been really, really welcoming.

"I think that was one of the main things in my head when I was coming, how the changing room was going to be, how were the boys going to be towards me and the group, but I can't fault them at all.

"Nearly every player's come up to me and asked me about my life and what's been my story."

Next campaign will include European football until winter for Aberdeen, with the Dons discovering their Europa League play-off opponent on 4 August.

And Milanovic is hoping to "get fans off seats" in the big games.

"I like to get the ball and really carry it forward and create chances," he added.

"I like to play on the wing but also like to come inside as well and play in that little pocket.

"Fans can expect a lot of exciting things, shooting, dribbling, crossing - it's more my game - but the good thing is I've really improved on my defending and the gaffer here is really big on that.

"I'm looking forward to meeting those standards and showing the fans to get them off their seats, while driving the ball towards goal. That's my thing."

Aberdeen need to sign at least four players in time for the new season, says club great Willie Miller. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Manager Jimmy Thelin believes Aberdeen's historic Scottish Cup final triumph will inspire everyone at the club going into next season.

The Dons beat Celtic in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at Hampden Park in May to claim the famous trophy for the first time in 35 years.

The memorable victory also guaranteed European league phase football next term.

"There is a lot of inspiration there and it's nice to be back again," the Swede said from Aberdeen's pre-season training camp in Portugal.

"We have some new players coming into the team, and we always have to work hard and try to take as many steps as possible in a short time.

"When you're together 24/7, it's always good to work with the identity, the behaviours, how we treat each other, the principles of the game.

"It's important now we are clear, what we want to achieve and how we want to play and with what style and identity on the pitch."

Recalling the momentous cup celebrations, the 47-year-old added: "The Scottish Cup win was one of the best moments of my life.

"When you think about it, it's always there in a really good spirit. But I also know we have to keep working and improving. Now we have to look ahead and try to prepare for a new season.

"That inspires everybody to try again. I know it's really difficult, but we have to try and we have to believe and go and try to be the best we can be."

Ross County are in talks to sign 19-year-old Aberdeen midfielder Adam Emslie, who spent last season on loan to Cove Rangers. (Sky Sports), external

Adam Emslie is set to knock back the chance to remain in the Scottish Premiership with promoted Livingston, having also had interest from St Johnstone, with the Aberdeen midfielder preferring a move to Ross County on a two-year contract in a transfer that includes a number of add-ons and future incentives. (Daily Record), external

Adam Emslie is wanted on a permanent transfer by Ross County, but they face competition from a host of clubs and the winger could yet remain with Aberdeen. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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BBC Sport has taken a look at which players will be free agents on 1 July.

The majority of major football leagues run from late summer to late spring, with pre-season in June and July. Therefore, contracts across most divisions typically expire at 23:59 on 30 June each year.

Those whose contracts are expiring but have already agreed transfers to new clubs are not included, as they will not become free agents.

Some Scottish Premiership contracts expire on 31 May rather than 30 June - the below players either already are or will become free agents.

Aberdeen: Tom Ritchie

Celtic: Greg Taylor

Dundee: Scott Fraser, Antonio Portales, Joe Shaughnessy

Dundee United: David Babunksi, Allan Campbell, Lewis Moult, Bryan Mwangi

Falkirk: N/A

Hearts: Jorge Grant, Barrie McKay, Lawrence Shankland

Hibernian: Maksymilian Boruc, Junior Hoilett

Kilmarnock: Kyle Magennis, Kieran O'Hara, Kyle Vassell

Livingston: N/A

Motherwell: Moses Ebiye, Harry Paton, Dominic Thompson, Davor Zdravkovski

Rangers: Adam Devine, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi

St. Mirren: Dennis Adeniran, Elvis Bwomono

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has told Red TV he expects another three or four new signings at Pittodrie this summer in addition to the four already secured. (Press & Journal), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.