Aberdeen

Aberdeen kick off their 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign with a trip to McDiarmid Park to take on St Johnstone.

The match will take place on Monday, 5 August at 20:00 BST.

You can find all of Aberdeen's fixtures here

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The 2024-25 SPFL schedule will be unveiled at 09:00 BST on Thursday, and we've got all the information you need before the return of domestic football.

The action in all four leagues kicks off on the weekend of 3 August.

Eight months later, the Premiership split happens on the weekend of 12 and 13 April and the top-flight season concludes on the weekend of 17 and 18 May.

And while it might be too painful to be thinking about the national team, there are international periods in September, October, November and March to bear in mind.

There will not, however, be a winter break this season.

The expansion of Uefa's club competitions - with the new league phase of the Champions League and Europa League running until the end of January - is the reason for that.

The SPFL said the format change "exerts additional pressure on the domestic calendar" and means no mid-season trips to the sunshine for Premiership clubs.

Jimmy Thelin is excited by Aberdeen's past and future as he looks to revitalise the club after taking charge on a three-year deal.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Just over two months after being appointed, new Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has faced the media for the first time.

Since it was confirmed he was heading to Scotland, I have spoken to a number of people in Sweden who all said he will be a success in the Granite City if given time.

And against that backdrop it was interesting hearing Thelin talk about step by step progress - it was very much a ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ approach.

He was calm and measured in what he said, refusing to get drawn into talk of targets for next season, saying it's about the duration of his three-year contract.

But you also got the impression he is going to be meticulous in the day-to-day work which will take the team to where he wants to get it.

While every side has its star players, Thelin gave the message that it is all about the collective rather than the individuals within it.

He is a man aware of the weight of history, expectation and pressure that comes with what is one of Scottish football's top jobs – and from what we saw and heard in his first press conference, he appears to have the mentality and personality to deal with that.

While noting the "potential is really big" at Aberdeen, Thelin was grounded in realism over the work required – and the mood music from the powerbrokers at the club is that he will be given time to turn that potential into reality over the coming years.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

New Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been outlining the philosophy he hopes can lay the foundation for success under his stewardship at Pittodrie.

The 46-year-old Swede has officially started work at the Dons following a six-year spell in charge of Elfsborg.

"I always believe in strong team spirit, that no one is bigger than the club," Thelin said.

"We are here for one reason - to work hard for Aberdeen FC. If you have that, for me it is quite straightforward. Strong attacking, try to create as many scoring chances as possible.

"You have to see the defence is there, how they fight to defend a goal, how they fight to have a clean sheet, but still be progressive in how we play and try to achieve the other direction. So, intense, clear direction against the goal and hopefully we can get this in motion and with our fans we can do it together."

Thelin arrives in Scotland from the Swedish top division which has resisted the use of VAR technology.

So is he looking forward to it being a part of matchdays?

'We can have a lot of opinions about everything, those are the rules, now we have to go with that," Thelin said.

Aberdeen are "fully prepared to go to a tribunal" to settle a compensation package with Rangers for midfielder Connor Barron.

Last week, the 21-year-old Dons academy product joined the Ibrox club on a four-year deal after the expiration of his contract at Pittodrie.

"Both clubs are mandated to find a solution," Aberdeen chief executive Alan Burrows said.

"They have to make counter proposals, if there’s no agreement then it goes to the SPFL.

"That’s the part of the process that’s ongoing now. If that can't be agreed, we're fully prepared to go to a tribunal.

"It's our job to get the best value and that applies to Connor Barron. We've had experience with these before."

On potential interest in Bojan Miovski, Burrows confirmed there have been no bids for the Dons striker but the cub are "realistic" about what could come.

Burrows also stated there have been no offers for Luis 'Duk' Lopes, who is reportedly keen to leave.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen "need to be prepared to be patient" with new manager Jimmy Thelin, says chief executive Alan Burrows.

The Swede is the Dons' sixth first-team boss in just over three years following the exits of Derek McInnes, Stephen Glass, Jim Goodwin, Barry Robson and Neil Warnock.

But Burrows has insisted the Pittodrie board will persist with Thelin, who left Elfsborg to take the role at Pittodrie this summer.

"This will mean this is a building process," Burrows said. "Jimmy's demonstrated this at his previous clubs.

"That might take a period of time to get going. What I've told Aberdeen fans I've met is this isn't going to be something short term.

"Cleary we want to see progress, but this needs to be an appointment we get behind because Jimmy has proven at his previous clubs, given time and support, he can drive success."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

New Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media for the first time since arriving at Pittodrie from Swedish side Elfsborg.

Here are the key points from the media conference:

• Thelin is delighted to finally have started the job, spoke of the club’s history and culture, and says "you can smell it".

• Asked if has set any targets for the next 12 months, he says "for me it is about the three years", adding he aims to create a solid base and build from there.

• On what would constitute success, the Swede talks about "clear step by step progress" and says "we don't know" about the future but can "promise hard work".

• He sums up his football philosophy as "fast paced, clear direction, a solid block when we defend". He believes in strong team spirit and says "no one is bigger than the club".

• The pressure and expectation at Pittodrie comes with a big club, Thelin says, and "we have to embrace the history".

• The Dons boss is giving little away on Bojan Miovski's future. When asked if he expects the striker stay beyond the summer he says "I'm used to transfer windows" and that Miovski remains an Aberdeen player.

• With no VAR in Swedish football, Thelin admits the technology will be a new experience for him, adding "it is what it is".

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Craig Hinchliffe has been announced as Aberdeen's new goalkeeping coach after Craig Samson left to join Hibs.

Hinchcliffe spent the last year with St Johnstone, where he coached Aberdeen's new number one Dimitar Mitov.

As a player, the 52-year-old had spells at Arbroath, St Mirren and Partick Thistle, the latter as a dual role of player-coach.

He worked closely with Jackie McNamara, joining Dundee United and York City with the former manager before five years at Motherwell.

Hinchliffe is the latest addition to the Dons' new backroom team, which also comprises assistants Emir Bajrami, Christer Persson and Peter Leven.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told club media: “Craig brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, particularly of Scottish football which was important to us. He also has a strong relationship with Dimitar having worked with him at St Johnstone.

“We believe he will be a real asset to our club. He shares our passion and enthusiasm for coaching and we’ve no doubt he will help to improve the goalkeepers we have here at Aberdeen.”

Dunfermline Athletic are keen on freed former Aberdeen left-back Kieran Ngwenya but face competition from Queens Park Rangers and Partick Thistle for the 21-year-old. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

New Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin insists every player at Pittodrie will start with a clean slate this season as he looks to give his players a chance to prove themselves. (Press & Journal), external

Read the rest of today's Scottish football gossip here.

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Jimmy Thelin says Aberdeen are "quite far" advanced with transfer plans, having already recruited goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, defender Gavin Molloy and forward Peter Ambrose.

Thelin took charge at the start of June, having left Elfsborg, and the players return for pre-season on Monday.

"I think we are quite far," he told RedTV.

"Of course, we have a picture already, we're already signing some players, we have some parts to think about.

"Maybe someone will leave, someone will come into the squad, but we're going to start working with the players who are here. They're going to have the focus and then the rest will really show itself in the future.

"You can feel when a player is giving everything. That's the starting point for me. You create the good things on the training pitch every day."

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Clark Robertson says the chance to work with Tony Docherty again was a "big part" in his decision to join Dundee.

The defender, 30, has signed up at Dens Park for the next two years after leaving Israeli side MS Ashdod.

Aberdeen-born Robertson had "much interest from teams in Scotland and England", according to Dundee, but has opted for a Docherty reunion.

He previously played under Docherty for two years when the current Dundee boss was Aberdeen assistant.

Robertson then had stints with Blackpool, Rotherham and Portsmouth before heading to Israel last summer.

"I’m buzzing to sign for the club and to be coming back to Scotland," he said.

"I’ve worked with the manager before at Aberdeen and when I spoke to him I was really excited about what he had to say.

"He’s played a big part in getting me here and hopefully I can repay that faith he has shown in me.

"Dundee is the perfect move for me at this stage in my career. I got experience over the past nine years playing in England and then abroad last season and hopefully I can use that experience to help the younger boys at the club."

Junior Hoilett is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season after suffering an injury on Canada duty. The 34-year-old winger has been in talks with Aberdeen after his short-term deal expired. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

We asked for your views on youngster Fletcher Boyd committing his future to Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Kieran: Very pleased. He is pacey, scores goals and will be worth a fortune soon.

Anon: He is undoubtedly an investment for the future. Too many promising prospects have left for the Old Firm. Now with Thelin there is a reason to stay and build a bright future here.

Paul: It would have been better to get him on a seven-year deal in case he goes on to do very well and could command a huge transfer fee. I'm hoping the new players are ones Thelin has been looking at already, and not ones someone else has identified.

Stuart: Well done to the kid who decided he wants to be at Aberdeen unlike others who can’t wait to get away as soon as certain clubs show an interest.

Chris: I think it's the best for the lad, he's got lots of time to mature into the player we all believe he can be. Smart move.

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Connor Barron says Ibrox is "the best place to be" after the midfielder signed a four-year deal with Rangers.

The Scotland Under-21s captain left Aberdeen at the end of last season, having turned down offers to stay at Pittodrie, and says he had no doubts about making the move to Glasgow.

"As soon as I started talking to the club I knew that this was the place for me to come," he said.

"Everything seemed right and I think it is the best place for me to be at this moment of my career.

"It is a club where the demand is high to win football matches and trophies and that is something that I really want to be a part of. It was a massive decision for me, but it was made easy by speaking to the staff and the manager and now I can't wait to get started."

There was a notable lack of Scottish players in Rangers' first team last season, and director of recruitment Nils Koppen says the club wanted to address that.

"It is important that young Scottish talents play a big part in the years ahead, and we are delighted to add a talented midfielder in Connor to the ranks at Rangers," Koppen said.

"He is a player that we have directly competed against on the pitch in recent years and, through his hard work and dedication, we believe he will prove a real asset to the side."

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Jimmy Thelin wants the Aberdeen squad he's inherited to "give everything from day one".

The Dons players return for pre-season on Monday, with manager Thelin having arrived at Pittodrie earlier this week.

"Believe in yourselves, believe in us and give everything from day one, don't wait for anything," the Swede told RedTV. "Take your spot but also be a good team-mate.

"It's a lot to do. I have to prioritise. We're going through the squad.

"I'm looking forward to meeting all the players. It's the most important thing to see them in training, on the training ground, see how they are competitive, see how they manage the emotional load, see the skills live.

"From there, it's better to start building from there. I'm trying to go in with quite an open mind to give the players to show themselves."

And he added: "The most important thing for me is the work we put in to try and be a winning team. That's the most important thing, to see the characters, how we help each other, doing something together.

"It's not one big star here and the rest here."

There is no compensation agreement in place as Rangers prepare to sign out of contract Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron. (Daily Record), external

Aberdeen forward Duk tells Portuguese outlet Maisfutebol he seeks to "embrace a new challenge" after announcing he wants to leave Pittodrie. (Press & Journal, external, subscription required)

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

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Aberdeen's new number one Dimitar Mitov looks a shrewd signing.

While the Bulgaria international only spent one season at St Johnstone, his impact was indelible.

Mitov, 27, made 41 appearances following his arrival last summer from Cambridge United and was instrumental in keeping the Perth club in the Premiership before sweeping the board at their player of the year awards.

In his 38 league outings, Mitov was kept busy. He made 138 saves, the most of any Premiership goalkeeper by quite a distance - the man he succeeds at Pittodrie, Kelle Roos, was next on 122.

And Mitov's save percentage of 71.6 was bettered only by Will Dennis of Kilmarnock (75.3%) and Hearts' Zander Clark (72.7%).

Aberdeen beat St Johnstone just once in four meetings last season - Mitov was a big reason for that.

And although the fee the Dons have paid to trigger his release clause is undisclosed, it may well prove money well spent.

Manager Jimmy Thelin, who has made Mitov his third Dons recruit, hailed the "talented" keeper as an "important signing" in his embryonic Pittodrie tenure, adding: “He is an international who brings with him good knowledge of the Scottish game.

"He had an exceptional season last year and was amongst some of the top performers in the league."

Now it's down to the Bulgarian to continue that form and try to help Thelin hit the ground running.

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Dimitar Mitov says he told his agent to "get it done" as soon as he heard of Aberdeen's interest.

The Bulgaria goalkeeper, 27, has left St Johnstone to move to Pittodrie on a three-year deal after the Dons paid an undisclosed fee to trigger his release clause.

Mitvov, who was St Johnstone's player of the year last season, told the Aberdeen website: "It’s an amazing feeling to be here.

"As soon as heard there was interest from Aberdeen I called my agent and said get it done.

"The club has a huge history, there are lots of good people here, and when we played against Aberdeen I loved the atmosphere the fans created.

"I feel I did well last season, being consistent is always difficult as a goalkeeper, but I worked hard and this is another opportunity for me to improve my game and make the step up.

"I like the ideas the manager has about how he wants to go forward here, the way he wants to play and create a happy environment, connecting with the supporters to get them behind us. Everything he said fits me as a player."

Aberdeen fans, how pleased were you to see Fletcher Boyd commit his future to the club?

And how much of an impact do you think he can have next season under Jimmy Thelin?

Have your say on the talented 16-year-old here, external.