Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has confirmed that former caretaker Peter Leven will remain on the Pittodrie coaching staff despite an approach from Raith Rovers, who are seeking a new head coach. (Scott Burns on X), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSTopi Keskinen has signed for Aberdeen from HJK Helsinki
You could bill Saturday's visit by Queen's Park in the Premier Sports Cup last 16 as the start of Aberdeen's life without Bojan Miovski.
But, in truth, the Dons had all but wrapped the North Macedonia striker in cotton wool pending Thursday's sale to Girona.
The Dons have still managed six straight victories in an impressive start to Jimmy Thelin's tenure as manager.
Latest signing Topi Keskinen, the winger who arrived this week from HJK Helsinki, will hope to compensate for the exiting firepower on his possible debut along with former Troyes midfielder Ante Palaversa.
Queen's Park banged in 15 goals of their own winning three group-stage games, but their one meeting this season with Premiership opposition ended with a 5-1 thumping away to Hibernian and they have not won in two Championship outings since.
It would be a major shock if Callum Davidson's side can repeat the last meeting between the sides, when the Spiders won on penalties after a 0-0 draw, also in the League Cup, way back in 2006 at Firhill.
Read the Premier Sports Cup preview in full here.
Image source, SNSJimmy Thelin insists Aberdeen will not be racing to spend the money from the sale of Bojan Miovski.
The striker joined Girona for a club record fee, reported to be up to £6.5m but the Dons are not in a hurry to get in a replacement.
"The people here at Aberdeen, it's an amazing job they have done," Thelin said of the transfer.
"Like we have done before, the recruitment process is always going on behind closed doors but we also want to give the players that are already here the chance to prove themselves and grow.
"Sometimes when someone is leaving someone else steps forward. If we need to, maybe something will happen but we also want to put trust in the players that are here.
"It's more like a longer term plan, we don't want to rush into something. Every game we have played so far we've had different goalscorers. We're trying to build something so we're not relying on one player and can score team goals.
"The window is still open and if we need to do something we will do something but our focus is on the players that are already here."
Image source, SNSAberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Queen's Park in the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday.
Here are the main points from the press conference:
On Bojan Miovski's exit in a club record sale, Thelin says the Dons have done an "amazing job" and it was a "good ending" for the striker.
He won't rush into anything with the Miovski cash, he trusts the players he has and will focus long term on using the transfer funds.
He adds that the recruitment process is always ongoing and the window is still open, but his focus right now is on players in the building.
On the arrival of Topi Keskinen, the boss says the Finnish winger really wanted to come to Aberdeen and is hungry to grow with the club.
Thelin isn't underestimating the challenge of Queen's Park, who are "a good team", and stresses the importance of the game.
When asked about guiding the Dons to Hampden, Thelin says "to dream is free" but they need to take it day by day to achieve something.
Angus MacDonald has trained this week and is ready for a place in the squad.
We asked for your views on Bojan Miovski's exit and how Aberdeen might replace the strike talisman.
Here's what some of you said:
Chris: Miovski was one of the best players of all time to grace our stadium, professional in all aspects as a footballer. I’m sorry to see him go but he deserves his chance, Duk could learn lots from him. I know it's early doors but I think despite some of the new faces, a replacement will be needed, but he’s a tough act to follow.
Michael: I would say give Alfie Bavidge a chance from the bench up until Christmas and reassess then. We have goals coming from all over the park now and it's clear to see a developing style and patterns of play.
George: We have seen many great centre forwards at Pittodrie, there’s too many to name, but Miovski was right up there with the best. His one-on-one record is second to none and he scored against the best defenders Celtic and Rangers had available.
Peter S: He has scored some amazing goals from getting in the right place and keeping calm. I think with Ester Sokler we have a replacement right there and the way we are playing now and the new additions to the squad will provide the service he'll need. We've got Pape Gueye, Bavidge and Peter Ambrose. Another striker would be good.
Justin: It'll be very tough to replace Miovski. We bought an amazing striker whose eye for goal was outstanding, so it may take time to come close to finding the next Aberdeen legend, I regret to say.
Steve: Miovski always playing with a smile on his face will be my lasting memory of him. He has to be up near the top of goalscorers, but there’s only ever been one king, Joe Harper. Others like Hans Gillhaus, Frank McDougall, Charlie Nicholas and Adam Rooney all left their own mark at Aberdeen. Sokler is an adequate replacement for the number nine role.
Graham: Top striker but better than that he "got" being an Aberdeen fan. He handled himself with great humility and always made time for the fans. His best goal was against Rangers at Hampden into the roof of the net, Allan McGregor did not move, it was disallowed but sublime skill.
Ross: Miovski’s goal against Celtic at Pittodrie was a real highlight, you knew he was going to score as soon as he broke free! Adama Sidibeh from St Johnstone would be a great signing, he could as well go on to make the club some money.
Image source, SNSBojan Miovski has banked Aberdeen a club record sale with his move to Girona
Now Bojan Miovski has moved on, will Aberdeen be dipping into the transfer market for a new striker?
Scott McDermott, chief football writer with the Sunday Mail, expects Jimmy Thelin to bolster his frontline as he looks to build on the unbeaten start to his Pittodrie tenure.
"They've got money in the bank now and I'm sure they'll go and sign another striker, certainly before the transfer window closes," McDermott told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"I don't think it will take away from the brilliant start that Thelin has had at Aberdeen.
"Don't get me wrong, without taking anything away from him, I think the fixtures at the start of the season have been quite kind to him.
"This weekend [against Queen's Park] is another one I fully expect them to win at home to get into the League Cup quarter-finals.
"That would cap a terrific start for him as manager despite Miovski's exit."
Aberdeen could bank up to £9m following Thursday's sale of striker Bojan Miovski to Spanish La Liga club Girona. (Press & Journal), external
Jonny Hayes, the 37-year-old wing-back who became a coach with Celtic's B team after leaving Aberdeen and retiring from professional football, has turned out for Bishopbriggs-based St Mungo amateurs in the Caledonian League. (Glasgow Times), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSBojan Miovski has thanked Aberdeen fans for a "wonderful two years" and says he is now the club’s biggest supporter.
The North Macedonia striker has earned the Dons a club record fee - reportedly £6.8m – by moving to Girona, who finished third in La Liga last season.
In a message on social media,, external Miovski said: "Hello Aberdeen fans. First I want to thank you all for the wonderful two years that I spent in this great club, fantastic city and [with] amazing people.
"You made me feel like home, you made me improve myself, especially in being a strongly confident footballer with you because I always knew that you believed in me no matter what.
"From my side I always gave every atom of my spirit, so I can at least try to give back what you give to me. You taught me how to fall in love with the club.
"Thank you very much on that and I will always be grateful you gave me this support in my two-year journey in Aberdeen.
"Continuing that, I'll be your biggest supporter and I wish the boys all the best this season and in the future. Once a Don, always a Don."
Image source, SNSThe draw for the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup will take place on Sunday after the Celtic v Hibs tie, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.
The draw will be shown live on Premier Sports following their coverage of the game from Parkhead.
All quarter-final ties due to be played on the weekend of September 21-22.
Gone, but never forgotten.
As Bojan Miovski departs the Granite City for Girona after a two-year spell, he is assured of a place in the hearts of Dons supporters.
The North Macedonia striker netted on his Aberdeen debut, in a League Cup win over Raith Rovers, and finished that debut campaign with 18 goals.
Last term he upped his impressive form and scoring rate, reaching a 26-goal haul despite the team's struggles in a campaign where they failed to finish the Premiership top six.
Miovski leaves for a club record fee having scored 44 goals overall in 98 appearances, 91 of them starts.
There's much more to his skill-set than just unerring finishing prowess though. His link-up play, aerial ability and calmness in front of goal are all attributes that help make Miovski the player he is.
Relive some of the 25-year-old's best moments in a Dons shirt - and his emotional Pittodrie farewell - by clicking the play button above.
Bojan Miovski's move to Girona has gone through after weeks of speculation, with the Pittodrie club receiving a club-record fee for the North Macedonia international.
What is your favourite memory of Miovski in an Aberdeen shirt, and where does he rank in terms of the club's best ever strikers?
The 25-year-old clearly leaves big boots to fill. Do the Dons have a replacement already at the club ready to step up, or do they need to reinvest some of the fee to bring in a marquee striker signing?
Tell us your views here, external.
Image source, SNSThe funds generated from Bojan Miovski's sale can help strengthen Aberdeen in both the short and long-term future, according to the club's chief executive Alan Burrows.
Miovski has joined Spanish La Liga side Girona, with Aberdeen receiving a club-record fee for the North Macedonia international.
The 25-year-old scored 44 goals for the Dons in 97 appearances after signing from Hungarian side MTK in 2022, and became a hugely popular figure at Pittodrie.
Burrows wants to use Miovski's departure as part of a Scandinavian-inspired strategy to help Aberdeen "regularly punch above their weight".
"Bojan has been a magnificent number nine for Aberdeen and although we are clearly sad to be losing him, we’re also delighted that he has achieved such an exciting move," Burrows said in a statement.
"He deserves it, and we thank him for his significant contribution.
"The deal is also a good one for the club and further strengthens the player trading strategy adopted and driven by Dave Cormack and the board over a number of seasons.
"This model means a club will plan to invest much more each season in football wages and transfer fees compared to what it brings in as income from the likes of season tickets, hospitality and retail.
"It obviously relies on deals like Bojan’s, where all the proceeds are being reinvested in our football department. We will work hard to develop this further, whilst constantly reviewing and benchmarking ourselves against similar clubs across Europe, particularly in Scandinavia, who are doing it very effectively and are regularly punching above their weight.
"We have already added six players in this window and our recruitment department, together with the manager, continue to explore ways to strengthen the squad between now and the end of the month."
Image source, SNSKeskinen featured against the Dons in last year's Europa Conference League group stage.
Topi Keskinen will be a great addition to Aberdeen's attack and can provide "calm" in forward areas, according to former Rangers and Dundee striker Rory Loy.
The 21-year-old signed for Aberdeen earlier this week, becoming manager Jimmy Thelin's sixth summer signing.
Keskinen played twice against the Dons in the Conference League for HJK Helsinki last season, and left a lasting impression on Loy.
"I was impressed with him," Loy told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"He was very good at arriving at the back post late when the attack was going down the other side.
"He relieved pressure by getting up the pitch, he's a good runner with the ball but he was also calm in possession which you don't often see from wingers like him.
"He was always a threat, always willing to go forward, always showing for the ball."
Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
There was much excitement among the Aberdeen support when a highly-rated North Macedonia forward was unearthed while playing for a struggling MTK Budapest side in the Hungarian top flight.
MTK would be relegated that season but that scouting trip goes down as one of the best the Dons have undertaken. It was certainly the most profitable.
Bojan Miovski was signed for around £600,000. It has proven to be the best money the club has invested.
That mission also produced the signing of Miovski’s team-mate, Albania midfielder Ylber Ramadani, who was sold for a seven-figure fee 12 months ago to Lecce.
A year on, Miovski will hand the Dons a club-record incoming transfer fee that hasn’t been seen for an outfield player in Scotland outwith Celtic and Rangers.
Indeed, only Craig Gordon’s £9m switch to Sunderland from Hearts in 2007 will eclipse it when Miovski completes his expected move to Spanish side Girona.
This move, in particular, has seen Aberdeen’s signing strategy come to spectacular fruition and the club has to be commended for bringing in serious money for outgoing players in recent years, be it through this method or their youth academy.
Of course, the emotional scenes following Sunday’s victory over St Mirren laid bare what the Dons fans will miss. Miovski has scored some important goals amid the 44 he has hit, including three at Hampden Park in the latter stages of cup competitions.
Although he leaves without a winners’ medal, the 25-year-old will stand tall within the pantheon of Aberdeen heroes down the years thanks to the impact he made.
Steve Archibald, Frank McDougall, Zoltan Varga, Hans Gilhaus and Charlie Nicholas were all mavericks who enthralled the Dons fans and Miovski will be almost impossible to replace for the kind of money that took him to Pittodrie.
It’s not often a player leaves a club in this manner and Miovski was visibly emotional as he waved goodbye to a support that hero worships him. The lure of La Liga and the Champions League will have been impossible to turn down.
But Aberdeen are better placed to deal with the hole that will be left in the squad now than they were even six months ago, and with a substantial injection of cash to go with it.
Image source, SNSAberdeen have agreed a £6.8m sale for Bojan Miovski, 25, to join Girona on a four-year deal. (Record), external
Miovski will travel to Spain on Wednesday as Aberdeen prepare to bank £6.75m for the striker. (Sun), external
Meanwhile, Aberdeen intend to activate 26-year-old striker Adama Sidibeh’s £500,000 release clause with St Johnstone before the Perth side's Scottish League Cup last 16 meeting with Rangers this weekend. (Football Insider), external
There have been no bids for St Johnstone forward Sidibeh. (Courier - subscription), external
Gary Scott
Fan writer
This Scottish football lark is a piece of cake, isn’t it?
Jimmy Thelin made it six wins from his first six games in charge as his Aberdeen side comfortably saw off St Mirren on Sunday afternoon to maintain a 100% start to their Premiership campaign.
There is an uncharacteristic wave of optimism sweeping the North East about the season ahead.
Contrary to Stephen Robinson’s view of the game, Aberdeen were in command from the first whistle. Only a defensive mix-up between Gavin Molloy, Slobodan Rubezic and Dimitar Mitov allowed Saints the opportunity to pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time.
Jamie McGrath’s strong start to the campaign continued as he grabbed another goal and assist before forgotten man Vinnie Besuijen got on the scoresheet for the first time since October 2022 as he dived to head home an incredible cross ball from Graeme Shinnie.
With Pape Habib Gueye notching his first Aberdeen goal, Thelin will be incredibly encouraged by the fact there have been 12 separate scorers already this season.
Perhaps most crucially, none have come via talismanic striker Bojan Miovski, who took the acclaim of the Pittodrie faithful for one final time before his imminent move to La Liga side Girona is finalised this week.
Miovksi has been a class act from the minute he arrived from MTK Budapest in the summer of 2022 and his tally of 44 goals in 98 appearances only tells one part of his journey with Aberdeen. There can be no doubt he has improved significantly during his time in the North East, becoming a truly all-round No. 9.
As much as Miovksi has been good for Aberdeen, Aberdeen has been good for Miovski. And he will be delighted to secure a move to a top five European league as well as to a side with Champions League football to contend with this season.
Thelin has been able to keep up the positive momentum with the acquisition of Finland Under21 starlet Topi Keskinen from HJK Helsinki.
With a rumoured transfer fee of just over €1m, and with Aberdeen fighting off competition from the likes of Blackburn, Sunderland and Middlesbrough along with interest in Italy and the MLS, this is a real statement signing by Aberdeen and Thelin appears to have played no small part in convincing Keskinen that his future lay at Pittdrie.
While no Aberdeen fan will want to get ahead of themselves, this feels like a club that has finally got to grips with itself.
All eyes now focus on a first meeting with Queen’s Park at Pittodrie since 1972 on Saturday in the League Cup, which is also a chance to get one step closer to the club's first silverware since 2014.
Gary Scott can be found at the ABZ Football Podcast, external
Image source, SNSIt might not be much of a comfort now, but in time it could be.
If reports, and Bojan Miovski's apparent goodbye to Aberdeen fans on Sunday, are anything to go by, his impending departure could be "really good business", according to former striker Rory Loy.
Figures as high as £7 million are being circled, and Loy - who followed Aberdeen in the Conference League with BBC Radio Scotland last season - believes such a fee is "exactly on the nose" and can only be an aid to Jimmy Thelin's fine start in the Dons dugout.
"I think it's a good fee, £7 million is a very good fee actually," Loy said on the Scottish Football Podcast. "How much of that is upfront, or add-ons, you never know how deals are structured these days, it's far more complicated than it used to be.
"There has to be an element of the league in it, but I think for Miovski, £7 million is exactly on the nose. It's really good business for Aberdeen, and Thelin will be hoping it gives him a little bit of a budget to go and get somebody because Miovski - as good as he is - was signed when he was an unknown face, so I'm unsure what he would have been earning.
"Aberdeen may now be able to go out and get somebody in and offer them good money.
"We'll see who fills that hole, but it's certainly a very good start for Thelin, a start which also gives him leverage to go to the board and say, 'a couple more signings and we'll be pushing and challenging'."
You can listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here
Image source, SNSTopi Keskinen faced Aberdeen in the Conference League last season with HJK Helsinki
Topi Kiskinen has already sampled the "amazing atmosphere" at Pittodrie, but the newest Aberdeen recruit is hungry for more.
The Finland under-21 international played against the Dons in last season's Conference League for HJK Helsinki, and was impressed by the "real football stadium" vibes it gave off.
Now, he'll be calling Pittodrie home, and the young winger is hoping to create many happy memories - and goals - at his new stomping ground.
"I remember when we had matchday minus one [here last season], I said to my team-mates at the time, 'this is a real football stadium',” Keskinen said on signing a four-year deal with the Dons.
“The atmosphere was amazing. I remember it being super nice and it was a great stadium to play in.
“My first impressions of Aberdeen, and the training ground are very good. Everything is very professional, everything is done properly."
Many Aberdeen fans will no doubt remember the direct and deft winger from last season's European games, but in case anyone was in any doubt, Keskinen reminded all what he's about.
“I would say that I am a really aggressive player, an attacking winger who likes one-v-one situations, and also running behind the lines," he told club media. "I am a player who always gives my all.
“Scoring goals is the best part of playing football, and hopefully I can chip in with some goals for Aberdeen, but I always like to create chances for my team-mates, that is what I do.
“I am just looking forward to meeting all the fans at the stadium. Hopefully we will have some nice moments together and I will score some goals so we can celebrate together. That is what I want.”
An expected Aberdeen bid will reportedly trigger the release clause that could lead to the signing of St Johnstone forward Adama Sidibeh, 26. (Press and Journal - subscription), external
Shayden Morris is eager to show Aberdeen can thrive without striker Bojan Miovski, who is close to joining Girona. (Press and Journal - subscription), external
Aberdeen could face competition from LASK and Salzburg for Fulham defender Ibane Bowat, 21, having agreed a £500,000 fee for the Scotland Under-21 international. (Aberdeen Live), external
Dons fans, we asked for your views after that 3-1 win over St Mirren on Sunday and what may have been Bojan Miovski's final game for Aberdeen.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Eric: A good win but still some very worrying signs in central defence, I still think we need to strengthen this area. Good to see some fringe players get their chance. Farewell to Bojan, wish him all the best with Girona. Will be watching his progress and he will remain in the fans' hearts for a long time.
Duncan: Great positive start to the season but that is all it is. Great to see the progression on the pitch, quick one touch football, balanced and controlled aggression. Once Jimmy Thelin gets the final pieces bedded in over the course of the season, we will be a joy to behold. This work in progress will be a pleasure to support.
Allan: A great start to both league and League Cup campaigns with a variety of players scoring shows we are now more than one man. Sure Bojan will be missed at some point but it’s up to the guys left to get a decent amount of goals.
Donald: Very decent start to the season by Thelin's Dons. St Mirren were always going to be a tough test and it's a positive measure of this side's capabilities to defeat them so comprehensively and deservedly. The icing on the cake would’ve been a Miovski goal. Thank you Bojan for all your commitment and true class, once a Don always a Don!
Steve: Take nothing away from yesterday’s game, three valuable points, but it was all about saying goodbye to our talisman striker Miovski! We can only but thank him for his 100% commitment to our cause, unlike Duk has shown towards Aberdeen. He can leave with his head held high along with an impressive goal ratio to his credit. Thank you Bojan - a Dons legend.
John: Great start to the new season the real test will be when we play against the Old Firm. We still have to find a replacement for Bojan.
Mark: The squad's getting stronger with new signings and the eventual return of Clarkson and Polvara. However some of the Pittodrie regulars need to show more patience and are far too quick to criticise players almost from kick-off. One step at a time and we'll be fine if patience is shown.
