It is never too early to get this up and running 

Window opens on 12 June which is eighteen weeks on Thursday 

 

Yeah we are never gonna be able to afford Miovski now, not permanently. But maybe a loan to give him consistent first team action? It's a dream, and I do wonder if he'd come back and risk jeopardising the status he has here. 

The recruitment team's job is to find the next Miovski, not bring the old one back. No easy task of course but that's the way it is and, I'd argue, should be.

If we can loan miovski we totally do, would be huge, but agree the priority is finding the next bojan. But we have zero high quality forwards and that was obvious this year, it’s not just one in we need. Sokler Dabbagh and Ambrose are very likable guys but I’d like to think we can find better than all 3 this summer. We all agree on Ambrose, Sokler has had enough time, and while dabbagh is a bit of a cult hero, he’s looked very average, even poor quite often. 3 goals (I think ) plus a penalty in 5 months doesn’t stand out.

What about the boy that was at Motherwell  maswanhisti or something like that. He's a player, could be a #10 on the cheap.

Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, we can now provide a summer squad update.

We are saying goodbye to first-team players Jack MacKenzie, Ross Doohan, Tom Ritchie, and of course, Jamie McGrath who confirmed back in February that he was leaving to join Hibernian.

A local loon, Jack was a graduate of the AFC Youth Academy and after a brief loan spell at Station Park with Forfar Athletic, made his first-team debut against Dundee United in March 2021.

 

Across the next four years, he was a regular in Dons’ squads, churning out a total of 123 games, scoring on three occasions, including a memorable strike at Ibrox in a 3-1 win in 2023-24.

Jack’s early season form in 2024-25 earned him a call-up to the full Scotland squad for the games against Croatia and Portugal. Jack signed off his Dons career by lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden on Saturday and collecting a medal as a fitting memory of his Dons career.

Ross Doohan joined the club in the summer of 2023, initially as an understudy to Kelle Roos, then latterly Dimitar Mitov.

The former Celtic, Ayr United and Tranmere Rovers stopper was used sparingly in his first season, turning out against Bonnyrigg Rose in the Scottish Cup before an appearance against Livingston in the season finale at Pittodrie last May.

However, he would play a much more active role in year two, admirably covering for the injured Mitov, featuring in 18 of the Dons’ 50 matches, and never letting anyone down.

Number three goalkeeper Tom Ritchie will also depart for the final time, having not made an appearance in the Dons first-team. However, he has enjoyed numerous fruitful loans at the likes of Huntly, Queen of the South, Peterhead, Buckie Thistle and Bonnyrigg that will be extremely beneficial in his future career.

Lastly, after two seasons in red, Jamie McGrath has left for the final time. The 13-times capped Republic of Ireland International joined on a free from Wigan Athletic and has enjoyed a fruitful time in the North-east, playing 81 games, scoring 16 times and laying on eight assists.

The Dons were keen to retain the midfielder, but a lucrative and lengthy offer in the capital has tempted him south.

Also returning to their parent clubs at the end of their loan spells, Kevin Nisbet (Millwall), Oday Dabbagh (Charleroi), Jeppe Okkels (Preston NE), Alfie Dorrington (Tottenham Hotspur) will depart.

Also moving on are some members of our development squad. Youngsters Blair McKenzie, Evan Towler, Victor Enem, Fraser Mackie will depart Pittodrie on conclusion of their contracts next month.

Dons boss Jimmy Thelin said: “We would like to thank each and every player leaving the club for their effort and contributions whilst with Aberdeen and wish them all every success in their future careers.

“Some of these boys have been here for a long, long time and departing a club is always emotional. But they can look back with pride and I am so pleased many of them are leaving with a winner’s medal from last weekend.”

THE FOLLOWING PLAYERS WILL LEAVE WITH THEIR CONTRACT EXPIRING:

Jack MacKenzie
Ross Doohan
Tom Ritchie
Jamie McGrath
Blair McKenzie
Evan Towler
Victor Enem
Fraser Mackie

THE FOLLOWING PLAYERS’ LOAN PERIODS ARE COMING TO AN END:

Kevin Nisbet
Oday Dabbagh
Jeppe Okkels
Alfie Dorrington

Don't have any axe to grind against any of those leaving and wish them every success** in their future career.

** McGrath less so, given he is going to a rival, albeit it is understandable why he has done this. 

Plymouth? Is that his ambitions?

Destined for Peterhead or Cove Rangers in 3 years. 

1 hour ago, Kowalski said:

Plymouth? Is that his ambitions?

Destined for Peterhead or Cove Rangers in 3 years. 

Whilst I think he could have done better, I genuinely believe we can do better also, so no hard feelings Jack, you leave as a cup winner and join a team who no longer have the manager that took you there.

Good luck 

11 minutes ago, BigAl said:

Whilst I think he could have done better, I genuinely believe we can do better also, so no hard feelings Jack, you leave as a cup winner and join a team who no longer have the manager that took you there.

Good luck 

Aye, I’d agree with that. I’m just glad it wasn’t to them. Will be unsettling for him that the manager has left (pilgrims don’t sound salty at all 😂) but I really wish him well. Local loon leaving as a cup winner. Can’t ask for much more .

24 minutes ago, manc_don said:

Aye, I’d agree with that. I’m just glad it wasn’t to them. Will be unsettling for him that the manager has left (pilgrims don’t sound salty at all 😂) but I really wish him well. Local loon leaving as a cup winner. Can’t ask for much more .

Other than to find his best form and to renew his contract with us, saving the hassle of buying a new left back. Jack’s an odd one, from player of the season to date, and injury, and rarely played in weeks, totally out of favor. Wish the boy well but I think he’s been poorly advised.

11 minutes ago, Kowalski said:

Plymouth? Is that his ambitions?

Destined for Peterhead or Cove Rangers in 3 years. 

I would assume this is more to do with compensation than ambition. Which I guess I can’t blame him for. He’s 25 now and he will no doubt be on a good bit of money there. I think he’s a decent player but not likely to get a big money move if he signs on. No hard feelings for me, just glad he never went near the old firm. 

The issue for Jack, like a lot of our local lads through the years, was that he was always one of the first for criticism. I don't think he was ever that happy, certainly not this season when he was getting pelters from Nilsen.

I think the only time I saw him truly happy was scoring that goal at Ibrox, and on Saturday with a winners medal around his neck.

I think we'll see him back at Aberdeen one day. And I hope he pushes his way back into the Scotland squad when Robertson, Tierney and Taylor retire. 

But for now he's probably best moving on. I get people saying Plymouth aren't a step up, but he'll likely play there and maybe will get noticed by a bigger club, so good luck to him.

https://www.afc.co.uk/2025/05/30/highly-rated-goalkeeper-signs-pre-contract-with-dons/

Nick Suman confirmed as signing, I think that's the first player signed directly from Cove?

Unless I'm missing something it doesn't say how long.

1 hour ago, Stewart said:

https://www.afc.co.uk/2025/05/30/highly-rated-goalkeeper-signs-pre-contract-with-dons/

Nick Suman confirmed as signing, I think that's the first player signed directly from Cove?

Unless I'm missing something it doesn't say how long.

Video of him talking about securing the back defenders and keeping clean sheets. 

I'd say that Mitov is potentially our highest value player. He's got the all attributes required to be a top level goalie, and if he has an injury free season of the performances he's capable of, then there's a good chance he'll be off next summer for a decent fee. If Suman can prove himself if/when called upon then he might be out number one in a year's time. 

In terms of players being worth something, I don't think we've got anyone in the squad just now that will make us a big sell on. Despite our business model, the guys we've signed seem to be firmly within our level (or below in some cases). The only exception, for me, would be Clarkson. If he goes on to have a good season next year, I can see him being worth a few million. He has the potential to be very good. Jensen, maybe, I guess. Knoester is a great signing, but I don't see him as someone who would go for big money, given his age and lack of the physical side (he's not an absolute unit). Keskinen would require something special in the coming season to fulfil his potential. Unless Milne becomes the surprise package?

17 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

I'd say that Mitov is potentially our highest value player. He's got the all attributes required to be a top level goalie, and if he has an injury free season of the performances he's capable of, then there's a good chance he'll be off next summer for a decent fee. If Suman can prove himself if/when called upon then he might be out number one in a year's time. 

In terms of players being worth something, I don't think we've got anyone in the squad just now that will make us a big sell on. Despite our business model, the guys we've signed seem to be firmly within our level (or below in some cases). The only exception, for me, would be Clarkson. If he goes on to have a good season next year, I can see him being worth a few million. He has the potential to be very good. Jensen, maybe, I guess. Knoester is a great signing, but I don't see him as someone who would go for big money, given his age and lack of the physical side (he's not an absolute unit). Keskinen would require something special in the coming season to fulfil his potential. Unless Milne becomes the surprise package?

So you’re saying 2025-26 won’t be Ambrose’ season?? £10m to inter Milan next summer?

31 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

So you’re saying 2025-26 won’t be Ambrose’ season?? £10m to inter Milan next summer?

Like we'd accept that.

15 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

Like we'd accept that.

I was meaning the starting bid. We’re not giving him away cheaply. Makes miovski look like Leon Mike.

7 hours ago, RicoS321 said:

I'd say that Mitov is potentially our highest value player. He's got the all attributes required to be a top level goalie, and if he has an injury free season of the performances he's capable of, then there's a good chance he'll be off next summer for a decent fee. If Suman can prove himself if/when called upon then he might be out number one in a year's time. 

In terms of players being worth something, I don't think we've got anyone in the squad just now that will make us a big sell on. Despite our business model, the guys we've signed seem to be firmly within our level (or below in some cases). The only exception, for me, would be Clarkson. If he goes on to have a good season next year, I can see him being worth a few million. He has the potential to be very good. Jensen, maybe, I guess. Knoester is a great signing, but I don't see him as someone who would go for big money, given his age and lack of the physical side (he's not an absolute unit). Keskinen would require something special in the coming season to fulfil his potential. Unless Milne becomes the surprise package?

If Palaversa can find the form that persuaded Man City to pay €7M for him, he could be worth a few bob 

So this is where we are at the moment.

I've not included the youngsters who have barely played, but of course there is Emslie, Bavidge, etc.

There is also Ryan Duncan, Richard Jensen and James McGarry. I suspect they'll join us for pre-season but won't last the window. Rubezic I've included - his loan was more about personal issues than Thelin not rating him so he may still have a future, although Tobers and Milne probably both ahead of him now and we might feel we can get a small fee for him. Will he even want to come back if he's third choice CB?

We do need more Scottish players for the European squad - there's only three there. We'll sign or promote a Scottish third choice GK probably, and Fletcher Boyd has been on the bench in three of the last six games and think he'll make the squad if we're not considering a loan move.

I think Duncan is a cert to stay just from a euro registration pov 2bh.  

Alfie Dorrington probably needs a post of his own.

The 2025 Scottish Cup winner, when asked about potentially returning to Aberdeen, said: “Obviously, I love the city, I love the club, the staff, the players. I love Tottenham as well. They’re kind of in charge of what I do. I’d be grateful if Aberdeen came back in for me but it’s all in Tottenham’s hands.”

And Dave Cormack said: "I know Spurs have been, as I understand it from Steven and Alan, delighted with his loan.

"It's the first time the boy's been away from home in London, and he told me a number of times he's absolutely loved being away on his own, and he looks after himself as a player as well. 

"So we'll just have to wait and see on that one."

 

It's an interesting one. There's no doubt he has improved as the season went on (especially from the mistake-laden game at Easter Road). I would like to see Tobers and Milne get more of a chance, but at the same time if you have access to a good player you should take him. I'd hate for us to turn him down and then he ends up at Hibs or Hearts.

Although not his natural position, I'd bringing him back as understudy to Knoester, and then give Molloy a loan elsewhere.

16 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

I think Duncan is a cert to stay just from a euro registration pov 2bh.  

The feeling of some Queen's Park fans that I've seen was that he improved as the season went on, but if they were loaning him again he's a back-up at best for them.

Wouldn't be the first player to have an underwhelming loan at a lower level then surprise everyone by turning it on for his parent club, but like I say I think he'll start pre-season for us to fill the squad, but unless he trains like Shayden Morris in front of Thelin, he'll do well to survive summer.

32 minutes ago, Panda said:

The feeling of some Queen's Park fans that I've seen was that he improved as the season went on, but if they were loaning him again he's a back-up at best for them.

Wouldn't be the first player to have an underwhelming loan at a lower level then surprise everyone by turning it on for his parent club, but like I say I think he'll start pre-season for us to fill the squad, but unless he trains like Shayden Morris in front of Thelin, he'll do well to survive summer.

What Duncan does have in his favour is he's pretty solid technically and I think Thelin will like that.  He's also not wee either. You could be bang on mate but I've got a feeling it might work out for Ryan yet.  I think we can all agree that we want it to at least.  

I’d completely forgotten about Molloy. Think of the two, I’d keep him over Rubi. Not sure it felt like Rubi learned, but maybe that’s unfair and he’d have done better with someone more experienced alongside him, rather than Molloy. Do we loan both out and see if we need one of them in the future? Molloy seemed to have more in his locker already than Rubi.