Aberdeen

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

It seems like no time since Aberdeen city centre was a sea of red and white as the hordes came out to celebrate the Dons' famous Scottish Cup victory. It was a special weekend for the supporters and the city.

More than three decades of impatiently waiting for the old trophy to return to the Pittodrie boardroom was, as the club say, worth the wait.

That success will rightly be woven through the campaign that is about to begin, but it is back to business for Jimmy Thelin and his players as they look for a major improvement on their 2025 league form which had them rooted to the foot of the calendar year table following the conclusion of 2024-25.

A year ago, Thelin led Aberdeen on a stunning run as they made it all the way through to the November international break undefeated, keeping pace with Celtic at the top along the way.

What followed was equally staggering but for all the wrong reasons as they won just five more league games before ultimately dropping to fifth on the final day.

That was quickly forgotten a week later as Thelin's men produced silverware which is, after all, the be all and end all for any football club.

But the league is the 'bread and butter' as they say and Thelin knows the second half of 2024-25 was not acceptable as he shapes a squad that can deal with the European prize they snatched from under Hibernian's nose that afternoon at Hampden Park along with their domestic form. It suffered badly two seasons ago with Barry Robson ultimately paying the price.

The return of Alfie Dorrington on loan from Spurs could be a masterstroke while the arrivals of Nicolas Milanovic and Adil Aouchiche have the potential to excite the fans. And will Australia international Kusini Yengi be the answer up front as he follows in the footsteps of Bojan Miovski and Kevin Nisbet?

On paper, the signing of 19-year-old Icelander Kjartan Kjartansson looks to be one for the future, but it would be no surprise to see him involved heavily given he has already got over 60 first-team matches under his belt in his homeland. It has shades of Lewis Ferguson who immediately made an impression upon arriving at Pittodrie back in 2018.

The SPFL have handed the Dons about as tough a start as they could have with a visit to Hearts first up - they haven't won at Tynecastle since 2017 - before champions Celtic come to Pittodrie with revenge on their minds after Thelin's men destroyed their treble bid in May.

It is likely there will be one or two more arrivals before the end of the transfer window with others leaving. Vicente Besuijen has already departed for a third loan spell, this time to HJK in Finland, with the likes of Richard Jensen, Slobodan Rubezic and Peter Ambrose also on decent contracts but on the periphery these days.

Thelin and Dave Cormack's well documented three-year-plan is about to enter season two and if it ends with silverware again, nobody in the Granite City will be complaining.

Turkish Super Lig club Kasimpasa have made an official offer to Pape Habib Gueye and have made progress in the transfer of the 25-year-old forward from Aberdeen. (Resat Can Ozbdak on X), external

Aberdeen striker Pape Habib Gueye will travel to Istanbul to complete his switch to Kasimpasa on Wednesday after an agreement was reached for his transfer, according to Turkish outlet YS TV. (Press & Journal), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

I don't foresee such a Dandy start as last season. A tricky opening game at Tynecastle followed by the champions at Pittodrie gives us an opportunity to put down a marker or find ourselves behind the mark.

European group-stage football, in whatever competition, will bring excitement but challenges domestically. I still think we will have enough about us for a top-four finish.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

Our best signing could prove to be the one we know the least about. Kjartan Kjartansson has impressed in cameo appearances in pre-season. I still have Nicolas Milanovic as the signing who has potential to excite us the most, alongside Adil Aouchiche.

What do you want from your manager this season?

I want him to be braver when it comes to changing his gameplan. There was a lot of criticism last season that Jimmy Thelin didn't have a 'Plan B'. We have enough defenders to play a back five or back three, and I think this will be one we see changed on European and domestic occasions.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

I have already mentioned Kjartansson, but if afforded more consistent game-time this season, then indications from pre-season suggest it could be Fletcher Boyd. After breaking on to the scene he didn't feature much last term, so I'll put him down to break out and really make his mark.

What is your one major concern?

Up front. Yes, Thelin teams tend not to rely on an out-and-out striker for goals. But fitness concerns around Kusini Yengi and Ester Sokler alongside the still relatively untried Peter Ambrose leave me worried we could lack goals if our wingers don't create/score.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Aberdeen have revived their interest in AC Milan forward Marko Lazetic, 21. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Defender Mats Knoester, 26, is confident Aberdeen can end their eight-year wait for a win at Tynecastle when they visit Hearts in their opening Scottish Premiership fixture on 4 August. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Aberdeen face an away trip to Greenock Morton in the second round of the League Cup.

Championship side Morton finished as one of the best runners-up in Group G.

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 16th/17th August.

Ipswich Town are "the level we are aiming to", said Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin following the Dons' 3-1 home friendly defeat by the English Championship side. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Aberdeen completed their pre-season fixtures with a 3-1 defeat by Ipswich Town at Pittodrie.

Scotland striker George Hirst played a key role as the Tractor Boys went into half-time two goals in front.

He combined with Sammie Szmodics to set up Jaden Philogene for the opener, before tapping in for a goal of his own after Szmodics' shot was saved by Dimitar Mitov.

Philogene got his second just before the hour mark to make it 3-0, before Aberdeen's Peter Ambrose tapped in a late consolation moments after being brought on as a substitute.

Jimmy Thelin's side start their league campaign away to Hearts on Monday, 4 August.

Image source, SNS

Jimmy Thelin believes HJK Helsinki will provide "the perfect platform" for Vicente Besuijen to "flourish" after the Aberdeen winger joined the Finnish side on a six-month loan.

Besuijen, 24, has made 57 appearances for the Dons since joining in January 2022, scoring 11 goals, but missed the second half of last season with a knee injury.

Manager Thelin says the former Netherlands youth international has "worked hard in pre-season and has a clear desire to play regularly, but Aberdeen haven't been able to promise him that".

Besuijen enjoyed a loan spell at Excelsior Rotterdam in the first half of 2023 before a temporary move to Eerste Divisie side FC Emmen in January 2024.

Thelin believes HJK - who Aberdeen bought Topi Keskinen from - is "the right opportunity" for the winger.

"This move should provide Vicente the game time he needs in a competitive league with a team who have European football to look forward to and we hope it is the perfect platform for him to flourish," added Thelin.

Aberdeen winger Vicente Besuijen is in talks with Finnish club HJK Helsinki and a deal could be finalised with the 24-year-old in the coming days, according to reports in Finland. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Andrew Southwick
BBC Sport Scotland

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Alfie Dorrington's return is "a big boost" for Aberdeen, says fellow defender Nicky Devlin.

The Tottenham centre-half has returned to Pittodrie for the 2025-26 campaign following a successful loan spell last term, which culminated in a historic Scottish Cup triumph.

"It's good to see him back again," Devlin told Aberdeen's club media.

"I thought he was brilliant last season for us, especially for someone coming into his first real exposure to first-team football. And he'll be a big boost for us.

"There are a few people who have left, big characters who have left the dressing room this year.

"He's good on and off the park, he's a big character, he gets on well with everyone. And he brings a lot of quality to the team, which we'll need throughout the season."

Jimmy Thelin's men continued their pre-season preparations with a friendly defeat to English Premier League side Fulham on Saturday.

New signing Kusini Yengi gave Aberdeen the lead, but they fell to a 4-1 defeat against the London club, who finished 11th England's top tier last season.

"It was difficult, everyone knows they're a top side," said Devlin, who replaced Graeme Shinnie at left-back at half time.

"They give a lot of the top teams in England problems as well. There were good parts of it - first half and second half - but obviously lots of stuff we need to work on going into the start of our season."

On playing in an unfamiliar left-back position, Devlin continued: "On paper it's the same position, it's just a different side.

"I think the manager knows I'm happy to play wherever. If he thinks it's the best for the team, then he knows I'll play anywhere for him."

Image source, Getty Images

Aberdeen fell to a 4-1 defeat to Fulham in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Premier League club's training ground.

The London side, who finished 11th in England's top tier last term, named a strong team, as did the Dons, who took an early lead through summer signing Kusini Yengi.

But Fulham hit back with a double from Harry Wilson, before Rodrigo Muniz and Joshua King sealed the friendly win for Marco Silva's men after the break.

We asked for your views on Shayden Morris being linked with a move to Luton Town, and whether or not you would like to keep him or see him go.

Here's what some of you said:

Steve: Most Aberdeen fans would agree that we'd like Morris to stay. But, I don't think we as fans can influence the Aberdeen board or manager in a situation like this. Just look at last season with Bojan Miovski. Every player has his price, some more valuable than others. Does Morris himself see his future away from Aberdeen, or will he try and hold Aberdeen to ransom by informing them he won't sign another contract? Then again, do you take the money and run, then buy a replacement with the proceeds of his transfer? With what will be a difficult season ahead, Europe and domestic football to cope with, it will be a very difficult decision the Aberdeen hierarchy have to make.

Allan: If you can get close to £1m for what effectively is a semi-decent squad player, and considering we have a few more speedy wingers, I would say thanks for your efforts and take the money.

Arch: It would be good to keep such a talented player but a shame to lose him for nothing next year. He's too good for League One, so Luton are unlikely to reach a sensible offer. However, others with more realistic ambitions and budgets will probably want him. He'll probably go somewhere, the board just have to get the right price.

David: Take the money! Morris had a good season but he's a one-trick pony and teams will have worked out how to stop him. He wasn't a regular starter and is unlikely to be one this season either. The money will be useful in the search for a decent striker.

Malky: The curious case of Shady Mo. Shayden is clearly a confident player, a man who Neil Warnock embarrassed, and perhaps rightly so at the time. He is now somewhat of a hero. I would hate to see him leave, there's a player there who can make the difference, but is he a 90-minute player yet? You would have to say no, but he most definitely has the potential. I would hope the club are only moving on players for the correct price. For me, we still need him and I would hope he signs a contract instead of moving on. I know there's still time, but I'm slightly more concerned about our lack of additions up front. We can't just go into the season with Ester Sokler and Kusini Yengi!

Chris: I don't think we should sell him. Let him have another season scoring goals and setting up chances, then maybe he'll be worth lots more.

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Aberdeen have exercised their right to postpone their Premiership match against Dundee United, which fell in between the two legs of their Europa League play-off.

Jimmy Thelin's side were due to travel to Tannadice on Saturday, 23 August but have successfully requested it be postponed after the SPFL board agreed the rule change in April.

Previously, postponements had to be agreed by both clubs, but now a team playing in Europe can unilaterally delay a game.

The Dons will learn their European opponents on 4 August, while the new date of their match against United will be decided once the European league phase draws are confirmed.

Meanwhile, the first two Dundee derbies of the league season are to be televised. Premier Sports will show the first at Dens Park on Sunday, 31 August (kick-off 14:00 BST) then the New Year derby at Tannadice will be on Sky Sports on Saturday, 3 January (15:00 GMT).

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

The name Shady Mo is sung from the Pittodrie stands with pride week in, week out... but for how much longer?

Aberdeen's player of the year Shayden Morris is of interest to English League One side Luton Town following a standout campaign for Jimmy Thelin's men.

Dubbed a super-sub for much of last season - given he only started 11 Scottish Premiership games despite featuring in all 38 - the pacy winger scored three goals and provided six assists in the top flight (the joint most at Aberdeen with Jamie McGrath), with a further two goals and seven assists in the domestic cups.

Most notably, he whipped in the cross that Kasper Schmeichel fumbled into his own net for Aberdeen's equaliser on their way to winning the Scottish Cup in May.

That action was a staple throughout his season, too. According to FotMob,, external Morris delivered 15 successful crosses in the league, with an accuracy of 64%.

The 23-year-old also ranked very well across successful dribbles, touches in the opposition box and duels won.

No player at Aberdeen had more successful take-ons (45) than the former Fleetwood Town wide man, who instigated more fast breaks (eight) than any of his team-mates too.

Impressive stats on the surface, even more so when Morris' limited game-time is factored in.

With Morris now into the final year of his contract at Pittodrie, and Luton pondering a third bid, his future is in the balance.

Dons fans, how do you feel about Luton's move for Morris? Is he must-keep for Thelin this summer? Let us know your thoughts here.

Aberdeen are exploring the possibility of a return on loan from Sporting Charleroi for Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh and the 26-year-old is open to the move, although Zamalek and Wydad Casablanca are also interested. (Sportsboom), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish Gossip

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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."