Aberdeen

Watch some of the best moments from Jonny Hayes' career after the former Inverness, Celtic and Aberdeen winger announced his retirement from playing.

In: Jimmy Thelin, manager (Elfsborg); Sivert Heltne Nilsen, midfielder (Brann, undisclosed); Dimitar Mitov, goalkeeper (St Johnstone, undisclosed); Peter Ambrose, forward (Ujpest, undisclosed); Gavin Molloy, defender (Shelbourne); Noah McDonnell, defender (Larne, undisclosed).

Out: Connor Barron, midfielder (Rangers, undisclosed); Kieran Ngwenya, defender (Dunfermline Athletic); Aaron Reid, forward (Airdrieonians); Finlay Murray, defender (Cove Rangers); Jonny Hayes, midfielder (retired); Kelle Roos, goalkeeper; Anthony Stewart, defender.

Loan ended: Stefan Gartenmann, defender (Midtjylland); Killian Phillips, midfielder (Crystal Palace).

Read the Scottish Premiership ins & outs in full here.

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Aberdeen have paid an undisclosed fee to sign 16-year-old defender Noah McDonnell from Northern Irish Premiership side Larne.

McDonnell has signed a two-year deal with the Dons and will join up with the development squad.

The defender has represented Northern Ireland at several age groups and was most recently part of the Under-16 Victory Shield squad.

Stuart Glennie, Aberdeen's youth academy director, said: "Noah is one we identified as an emerging talent and he enjoyed a successful trial period at Cormack Park where he performed well and demonstrated clear leadership qualities."

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Graeme Shinnie says the Aberdeen squad are embracing a "fresh" and "intense" new era under manager Jimmy Thelin.

In the Swede's first game as Dons boss, his side ran out 3-0 winners in their League Cup group opener at third-tier Queen of the South.

All three goals came in a free-flowing first-half performance, the second of which was a fine solo effort from captain Shinnie.

"The manager wanted us to play with high intensity," the midfielder said, external.

"We've only had a short space of time to work together, but it’s been intense, learning what he wants to do.

"There’s still a long way to go, checking what we did right, what we did wrong, and a lot to learn, but it’s been really good so far.

"Last season we went through quite a few transitions with changes in management. This is just a fresh start, a fresh era.

"Coming back in pre-season, it’s about learning the manager's way and what they expect of us, which the boys have taken to."

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Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie aims to provide more goal threat this season after scoring in a comfortable 3-0 success away to Queen of the South.

The 32-year-old netted in between a double for striker Ester Sokler in the opening round of group games in the Premier Sports Cup.

And the experienced midfielder reckons the presence of new arrival Sivert Heltne Nilsen will allow him to get forward more often.

"I want to try and add more of it to my game,” Shinnie told Premier Sports.

"Even though I’m getting older now, I still want to try and chip in with the goals.

"Siv’s come in and he’s a bit more defensive so I can push on a bit more knowing that he’s going to be covering in behind me."

The long trip to Palmerston Park was Jimmy Thelin’s first competitive match in charge and Shinnie says players have "had to learn very quickly" under the new Swedish manager.

"There is that little bit in the back of your mind that knows the league form last year was not good enough and it’s something we want to rectify," he explained.

"But it’s a fresh era, a fresh start, a new season that will bring totally different challenges, and it’s one I’m looking forward to."

Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, the 25-year-old North Macedonia international, is high up on Bologna's target list as they look to replace Joshua Zirkzee, who is set to join Manchester United. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Aberdeen have warned Duk they will not be forced into selling him on the cheap after the 24-year-old forward failed to turn up for pre-season training. (Daily Record, print edition)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen midfielder Leighton Clarkson says new manager Jimmy Thelin has been "a breath of fresh air" and "has lit the place up" since his arrival from Elfsborg last month.

Thelin will take charge of his first competitive match when the Dons travel to play Queen of the South in the group stage of the League Cup on Saturday, and Clarkson has liked what he has seen from the Swede so far.

"I like his ideas; the way he wants to play," the 22-year-old said. "We have all really given to him in all the games we have played so far and he has been good as a man manager as well.

"A lot of people have spoken to him individually and said he has been really good so lets hope he stays here for a good while.

"He has lit the place up since he has been in and we all feel it, the staff feel it, we know what we need to do on the pitch in terms of winning the football games but so far he has been really good.

"We know it will be difficult [against Queen of the South], they will be coming right at us, they will want to prove a point, but we are going down there to win, we are not treating it as a pre-season game, we are going down there to win and hopefully we can do that."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin hailed the "really strong" team spirit in his squad, as he prepares for his first competitive match in charge of the Dons.

Thelin's side open their League Cup group stage account at League 1 Queen of the South on Saturday, and Thelin is refusing to look beyond the trip to Dumfries.

"I don’t think longer than one game," he said.

"I have so much respect for football and all the teams we are going to compete against, we have to believe in ourselves but still respect the opponent.

"Of course we are going to have to take more steps as a team, there is more to learn and more to grow.

"It is quite early but still we need to find a way to win these games, and be strong in the team spirit. The team can use these skills even if everything is not going to be perfect, but still we need to be ready.

"The team spirit is really really strong."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Aberdeen make the long trip south to Dumfries for their first competitive game under new manager Jimmy Thelin.

Thursday's arrival of Sivert Heltne Nilsen from Brann could prove to be their best bit of business once the league campaign kicks in considering the Swede regards him as a born "leader", but the midfielder might not be thrown straight into the action.

Playing third-tier Queen of the South could give Peter Ambrose an early chance to show he could be the successor to Bojan Miovski should the North Macedonia striker be sold this summer.

With Miovski posted missing in Wednesday’s 4-0 friendly win over neighbours Peterhead, Ester Sokler pitched in with two goals, but when competitive action begins, the 22-year-old Enfield-born Nigerian will hope to prove why Aberdeen paid a fee for him after his 10 goals in 45 games as Ujpest finished 10th in the Hungarian top flight.

• Read Clive's full piece here

Dons fans, we asked for your views on what would be a successful season for Aberdeen.

Here’s what some of you had to say:

Lewis: Personally, I think with the depth of the squad and Aberdeen's reputation, we should at least qualify for Europe. Over the course of last season, we proved we could play good football we just suffered from poor management at points, making us inconsistent, but if we play well, we could reach a semi-final, and if we're lucky, a final.

Kevan: Any improvement on last season will be brilliant but I don't want to put pressure on the boss, he needs to have time to get used to the league.

Marti: I would love another cup run and four trips to Hampden and finish third but it’s going to be tough in his first season. I'd be happy with fourth, a solid campaign and performance levels up especially at home.

Mark: If we can achieve a consistent level of higher performances then I have no doubt we can have a more successful season with better results, improved league position, and compete with teams at the top of the table. That’s the starting point. Some silverware this season would be a nice bonus, but that will follow if we can build a strong foundation.

Donald: I think it’d be wise for Dons fans to temper expectations for the season ahead. Maybe we’ll get off to a flier and start banging in goals, but I’d be satisfied with comfortable top-six finish, fourth and taking points off Hearts and the Old Firm. Also reaching cup semi-final stages too.

Bruce: Top-six is the minimum. Europe qualification would be a good outcome. In the cups, I think that two semis would represent success - even though we did better last year.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media ahead of his first competitive game in charge of the Dons in Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup group stage trip to Queen of the South.

Here are the key points:

• Duk won't be in the squad, adding they have some "internal issues" with his situation.

• Believes Dante Polvara will "come back even stronger" after being ruled out for 14 weeks with a hamstring injury.

• On new signing Sivert Heltne Nilsen, he says "he is really competitive on the pitch" and is a leader who "can make other players grow."

• When asked if he is looking forward to his first competitive game in charge, he says "it is really nice."

• Speaks of the importance of Saturday's game while insisting he only thinks one game at a time when asked if the League Cup group stages can "set the tone" for Aberdeen's season.

• Having had several weeks to work with the squad, Thelin says "the team spirit is really, really strong."

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Jimmy Thelin says he is "very disappointed" to lose Dante Polvara for a "significant portion" of the upcoming season after the American suffered a hamstring tear in training.

Polvara, 24, is expected to miss 14-16 weeks of action following the injury and will meet with a consultant imminently.

The midfielder established himself as a first-team regular in the latter stages of last season, making 40 appearances across the campaign and scoring four goals.

"We’re clearly all very disappointed for Dante, particularly as he had made such a positive impression during pre-season," said Aberdeen boss Thelin.

"He’s an important player for us to lose at such an early stage in our season but he will have the full support of everyone at the club and I’m sure he will come back stronger from this setback."

Image source, Getty Images

After reuniting at Aberdeen, Sivert Heltne Nilsen says manager Jimmy Thelin is the man who revitalised his career.

The new Pittodrie boss signed the Dons' latest recruit for Elfsborg back in 2019 and made a big impact on the 32-year-old midfielder.

Heltne Nilsen, who has penned a three-year deal after joining from SK Brann, recalls how Thelin's approach made him feel secure during his spell in Sweden.

"My career wasn't in the best place," he told RedTV. "But in Jimmy's system, it was a very good fit. I started to play good games straight away.

"The way he coached made me feel safe on the pitch. He's a very smart manager and he knows how to get results.

"[The move to Aberdeen] happened really quick. My head is a little bit all over the place but I'm really happy. The club is amazing and I've already met a lot of good people."

Aberdeen fans, after last season's underwhelming league campaign, what do you think would constitute a successful season this time around under Jimmy Thelin?

Have your say here, external.

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Aberdeen beat Peterhead 4-0 in a friendly at Cormack Park on Wednesday, as their preparations for the new season continue.

An Ester Sokler double, as well as strikes from Graeme Shinnie and Alfie Bavidge gave Jimmy Thelin's side a straightforward victory.

The Dons start the 2024-25 season against Queen of the South on Saturday in the Scottish League Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Brann midfielder Sivert Heltne Nilsen has travelled to Aberdeen for a medical after a bid from the Dons was accepted, the Norwegian club have announced.

The 32-year-old signed for Brann in 2021 and has been the club's captain for the last two seasons.

He has scored 26 goals in 198 appearances for Brann, but now looks set for a move to the Scottish Premiership if personal terms can be agreed.

Aberdeen are ready to make a loan move for Ecuador attacking midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento from Brighton. (Scottish Sun)

New Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has vowed to do his utmost to help teenage sensation Fletcher Boyd reach his potential. (Press & Journal)

Ex-Aberdeen and Rangers forward Sone Aluko has taken up the role of first-team coach at Ipswich just weeks after retiring as a player. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip

Image source, Aberdeen FC

Aberdeen have "paid homage to a significant period" in their history with their new "wasp" away kit.

Black and gold striped, it takes inspiration from the home strips they wore throughout the early 1900s - when the team were nicknamed The Wasps - before switching to red and white.

The kit was launched by the women's team because they never had the opportunity to wear those colours during the women's football ban in that era.

"This ban severely restricted the development of the women’s game for decades and meant that the Dons women did not get to represent Aberdeen as The Wasps," the club said in their reveal statement.