Aberdeen

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Fletcher Boyd has signed a new three-year deal at Aberdeen, who say the highly-rated teenager attracted interest from "some of the UK’s biggest clubs".

Attacking midfielder Boyd, 16, burst on to the scene and into the record books in May when he came off the bench to score on his debut in the 4-0 rout of Hibs, becoming Aberdeen's youngest-ever scorer.

He made it two from two by completing the scoring in the 5-1 win over Livingston three days later and has now signed the longest contract permitted for players under 18.

Dons manager Jimmy Thelin said: "We’re delighted that Fletcher has opted to commit his future to Aberdeen, particularly as there was a lot of interest in him.

"There has been a huge collective effort from key people at the club, over a significant period of time, to get us to this point with Fletcher so I must pay testament to that hard work and endeavour.

"Fletcher is hungry, has a real desire to get better and it says a lot that he believes this club is the right environment for him to do that."

Boyd is aiming to build on the explosive start to his Pittdrie career, adding: "I know there is a lot of hard work ahead but I’m looking forward to the future under the manager and can’t wait to get started."

Aberdeen are poised to sign goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov in a six-figure transfer after triggering an automatic release clause in the 27-year-old's St Johnstone contract. (Daily Record), external

Cape Verde winger Duk's agent expects the 24-year-old to be sold by Aberdeen this summer as he enters the final year of his contract despite approaches from several clubs, including Young Boys, being rejected in January. (Football Scotland), external

Rangers are poised to head off interest from clubs in England and Italy to sign 21-year-old out-of-contract Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron. (The Herald), external

Birmingham City are monitoring Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, but Bologna are leading the way in the hunt for the 24-year-old North Macedonia international valued at £7m by the Scottish Premiership club. (Scottish Sun), external

Iranian asylum seeker Rafe Saeydi, a 29-year-old striker now playing in Aberdeen amateur leagues, is hoping for a return to professional football having previously played in the top two leagues in his homeland. (Press & Journal), external

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Aberdeen will head to Portugal in early July for a week of "intense warm weather training" as part of their pre-season preparation.

Jimmy Thelin's side will play an unspecified number of games behind closed doors during their time in the Algarve, before the season starts on 13 July.

The Dons will also play against Peterhead on 10 July in a testimonial game for former player Ryan Strachan.

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Craig Samson will not be part of the Jimmy Thelin era at Aberdeen.

The goalkeeper coach has left the club to take the same role on new Hibs boss David Gray's backroom staff.

Samson, 40, joined the Dons two years ago but will now return to the club where he previously served as goalkeeper coach under Jack Ross.

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At long last, Jimmy Thelin has arrived in Aberdeen.

Pictures posted, external on the club's social media channels show the new Dons boss at Cormack Park, the team's training base, with assistants Christer Persson and Emir Bajrami.

Despite not officially starting his role until earlier this month, Thelin has been in regular communication with the Aberdeen board and coaching staff since the news of his appointment in April.

The real work will now begin for the Swede, who departed Elfsborg to become the Dons' sixth manager in just over three years.

Thelin has already made a start on the transfer front, bringing in Irish defender Gavin Molloy and Nigerian forward Peter Ambrose, while Connor Barron and Kelle Roos are among the departures.

The Pittodrie club's competitive campaign starts on 13 July when they travel to Queen of the South in their League Cup group-stage opener.

Willie Miller's centre-back partner during the Aberdeen glory years Alex McLeish, is one of those interviewed for the BBC Scotland series: Icons of Football, featuring Miller.

"Why’s he an icon? Consistency of excellence," McLeish said.

"I can remember my debut for Aberdeen. Billy McNeill told me I was going to be playing beside Willie Miller and this was a guy I’d been watching on the telly the previous years. It was kind of surreal.

"Willie was quiet, but when he said something, you knew you had to listen.

"He had gravitas when he was walking about the dressing room or Pittodrie and, when we’d go to other clubs, you could see he was scared of nothing."

You can watch Icons of Football: Willie Miller on BBC Scotland at 23:00 BST on Saturday 16 June, and catch up with all 12 episodes on BBC iPlayer.

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Aberdeen legend Willie Miller is featured in the latest BBC Scotland series Icons of Football, available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

One of those who contributes to the programme is former Dons boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who described Miller's winning mentality during his trophy-laden spell at Pittodrie.

"He was a leader in the sense that winning was always his mantra," Ferguson said.

"It was a great achievement. You can’t put it all on one person, but in the moments when it really mattered, in the last 10 minutes, he was fantastic - him and [Alex] McLeish, because they were having a go.

"That’s when good players become winners, when it’s really needed, when games are decided on how they defend.

"In the eight-and-a-half-year period I was at Aberdeen, he gave a without doubt, 100% guaranteed performance every week.

"I think the best accolade Willie can have is that he captained the best Aberdeen team for years - and he never let them down."

Cagliari, Middlesbrough and Swansea City are among clubs interested in out-of-contract Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron amid reports that the 21-year-old already has six offers on the table from Rangers, Serie A and England. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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If you could only buy one, sell one, and loan out one player at Aberdeen, who would you pick?

That was the question we asked you to answer, with the transfer window now open.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Scotty: Sell Duk. His head is already out the door, it's time to cash in. Buy Idris El Mizouni. We are short of a defensive midfielder and he is ready to step up a level. Currently on loan to Leyton Orient and is surplus to requirements at Ipswich. Loan Ibrahim Sadiq. He was outstanding for BK Hacken against us, got sold but isn't getting a game for his new club, AZ Alkmaar.

Allan: Would like a new keeper now Kelle Roos is away. Keeping Miovski is better than any signing.

Andy: The Dons need a new keeper and a midfielder to replace the ailing Graeme Shinnie. Then bring back Scott McKenna and Scott Wright.

Johnny: Don't rush with any spending, tired of seeing players come in who are no better than the youth guys breaking through. The Dons do need a first-choice goalkeeper. Don't think many need replaced right now. Even if Miovski goes, pocket the cash and let Jimmy Thelin run the rule.

Wayne: No major overhaul required but definitely six or seven good quality signings with a mix of youth and experience.

Eric: I really hope we can deliver at least four or five quality signings as we are bound to receive offers for at least three players, lose two to freedom of contract, plus lose a few loanees.

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The new signings keep on coming at Pittodrie. Aberdeen have announced a second arrival in the space of 30 minutes, with Nigerian striker Peter Ambrose the latest recruit.

The Dons have paid an undisclosed fee to land the 22-year-old from Hungarian outfit Ujpest on a three-year contract.

Boss Jimmy Thelin, who has also brought in Irish defender Gavin Molloy, is backing Ambrose to "flourish" at Aberdeen.

He said: "I’m delighted Peter has chosen to join us here at Aberdeen. He is very driven and ready to represent the Dons.

"He will strengthen our options and provide healthy competition in the forward areas.

"Peter also has all the personal attributes we look for in a player. Hard work, application and a real intensity to our work are the DNA of success, and together we want to build upon that to reach out goals."

Ambrose made his professional debut for Turkish side Balikesirspor in January 2022 and featured a further 11 times in his maiden season before a move to Ujpset that summer.

He was the Hungarian club's top scorer last season with 10 goals in 27 starts and, according to Aberdeen, attracted interest from "several UK clubs" before opting for the Dons.

Ambrose said: "It feels so good to be here. I spoke to the manager and he told me he would teach me and direct me on how he wants to play and that I just have to trust him and everything will be fine.

"When I was told of the interest from Aberdeen I was so grateful. Growing up as a kid I knew about the Scottish league and Aberdeen so I feel it is a big step for me."

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Jimmy Thelin has welcomed "leader" Gavin Molloy as the first signing of his Aberdeen tenure.

Centre-back Molloy, 22, arrives on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from League of Ireland Premier side Shelbourne, where he made 79 appearances, scoring five times.

Dons manager Thelin said: "Gavin has developed a growing reputation in Ireland.

"He brings great versatility, a positive attitude and both on and off the pitch conducts himself in the correct manner.

"Gavin is also a leader, something which is important for a strong and successful team, and it’s a characteristic, along with a hard-working attitude, which is in the DNA of this club."

Dubliner Molloy is relishing the move and said Thelin had "done a lot of research on me".

He added: "As soon as I heard about the opportunity, I wanted to put the red shirt on.

“After speaking to the club I felt this was the right step in career. The history, the size of the club, it was something I really wanted to be part of."

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack and his son Craig have made the trip from the United States to cheer on Scotland at Euro 2024 in Germany. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Friday's gossip.

Rangers are ready to step up their interest in 21-year-old out-of-contract Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron, who has been on a short break in Portugal but could fly back for a medical and contract talks. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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The transfer window opens on Friday and we want to know what matters to you most this summer.

If you could only buy one, sell one and loan out one player at Aberdeen, who would you pick?

Click here, external to let us know.

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Representatives from Celtic, Hibernian and Ross County feature on the SPFL board for the 2024-25 season.

County director James MacDonald, Hibs non-executive chairman Malcolm McPherson and Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson make up the Premiership contingent.

Paul Hetherington (Airdrieonians) and Graeme Mathie (Ayr United) will represent the Championship, while Andrew Allan (Alloa Athletic) and Allan Maitland (Clyde) have been elected for League 1 and 2.

In a statement, the SPFL say clubs also "voted unanimously" to approve a recommendation that a new Ifab protocol for permanent concussion substitutes is used across all SPFL competitions.

"Each team will be allowed one concussion substitute per match in addition to the normal number of substitutes and substitution opportunities," they say.

"If that concussion substitute is used, the other team is allowed an additional substitute."

Sweden defender Niklas Hult insists the tactics of Jimmy Thelin, which can be "confusing" at first, will bring success to Aberdeen - if players and fans show patience. (Press & Journal, external, subscription required)

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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Lewis Ferguson believes his "time will come" with Scotland as he continues his recovery from long-term injury.

The Bologna midfielder, 24, had his impressive second season in Serie A cut short by an anterior cruciate ligament tear, meaning he will not feature at Euro 2024.

Ferguson has scored 13 goals in 66 appearances for Bologna since leaving Aberdeen in 2022 and has 12 senior international caps.

"Sometimes you need to be patient," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"At club level, I've been performing really well. At international level, I've had to be patient. The lads that are playing in midfield at the minute have done a fantastic job. It's probably the strongest part of our team, of our squad.

"I'm quite happy within myself. I know that my time will come and it's just about whether I can take it or not."

• Read the full story

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Neil Lennon admits he held a "brief conversation" with Aberdeen following Neil Warnock's departure as interim boss.

Veteran manager Warnock left Pittodrie following a Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Kilmarnock, with the club left to search for a replacement after expecting the 75-year-old to see out the season.

Reports linked Lennon to the vacant post before it was announced Jimmy Thelin would arrive from Sweden to take over in the summer.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound programme, the former Celtic and Hibs boss says his talks with Aberdeen did not amount to much.

"I had a brief conversation with Aberdeen in March or April, but that's all it was," Lennon said.

• Listen to the full interview with Lennon on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound on Saturday, 8 June from 14:00 BST.

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Former Aberdeen forward Joe Harper urges new Pittodrie manager Jimmy Thelin to sign a replacement for Ylber Ramadani, who left the club in 2023. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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The results are in. And they may be a surprise.

We asked you to cast your vote on whether the Scottish Premiership should keep VAR or scrap it.

More than 3,000 of you responded to the poll - and while there was a clear majority, it was no landslide.

Those in favour of ditching VAR totalled 67% of voters, while 33% were in favour of favour of keeping it.