Aberdeen

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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."

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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."

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.