Latest news with #Dons
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Aberdeen transfer state of play as striker latest delivered and Jimmy Thelin targets 'new dynamic'
The Dons boss wants another frontman to add to the seven signings he has already made this summer Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is confident his summer recruitment drive has brought a new dynamic and hunger to his Scottish Cup-winning squad. The Swede has already made significant changes to his team, bringing back Alfie Dorrington on-loan and signing Nicolas Milanovic, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Kusini Yengi, Nick Suman, Kjartan Mar Kjartansson and Adil Aouchiche. Thelin is still looking to add to his squad further with another striker his priority but knows he will have to play the waiting game to get the targets he wants. The Aberdeen boss confirmed: 'You always have to change a little to get a new dynamic and a new hunger. You need to keep the hunger inside the team to create a good healthy competition within a squad. 'Quality is also important but the character and as a player are the most important things. You need to have a good team spirit. Everyone needs to be clear about their role and expectations and the hard work you need as a professional player today and for Aberdeen FC.' The good thing for those who have remained at Pittodrie is that they have got over the line and know what it means to win something with Aberdeen. Thelin knows that will fuel them to even more success and with the added burden of European group stage football. He admitted: 'When you get to a final and you win it, I think the players will grow with this experience. 'They will feel they can do it and there will be more time together. 'It was my first year with the players. I was trying to understand the culture and getting to know everyone in a better way. 'I will try and use the players better with their strengths. 'The energy of the club is so important. 'Throughout the season, even in the tough times, Pittodrie was almost a full house and even in the away games. 'We tried to use that in a positive way and never stop believing. 'A lot of good clubs are trying to challenge for everything. 'This season we go to Europe and have four competitions, the more we are together the stronger we are going to be. 'We have to work hard, believe and push for it.' The go-to word for Thelin last season was 'believe' and that certainly happened as they lifted their first Scottish Cup in 35 years. It provided the fairytale to his first season at Pittodrie. He stated: 'It has been quite an exciting year. It has been a little bit up and a little bit down and, of course, the final was amazing. 'The feelings you feel that day and the days after with the players, staff, fans and people of Aberdeen was one of the best moments of my life, to get exposed to this. 'Especially when you work so hard together. The belief was there the whole season. 'There were some challenging parts but the belief was there. 'We can add and to finish the season in that way was a really happy day for everyone around the club. 'The whole week was trying to remember but sometimes it is difficult because there are so many emotions. The whole week was built-up to the final. We had a tough end to the season and it was how can we win this game? 'The build-up was really good, now you can look after the final. The players stepped forward and weren't hiding. 'They took responsibility and we also changed the system for this game. 'We worked hard in a short space of time to believe we could do it.' The Scottish Cup win is now in the history books and now for the manager it is what his Aberdeen team can do going forward. 'I haven't looked back on last season too much,' the former Elfsborg coach claimed. 'The new season starts soon. 'We are all proud of the cup win but now we plan and hopefully for an even better future. 'I hope we can be better, in some parts of the game where we can control the game a little better. 'I don't want to lose the spirit and intensity of the pressing but to be more stable, especially in the away games.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Alfie Dorrington Tottenham decision puts Aberdeen on transfer red alert as Luton boss responds to Shayden Morris snub
Dorrington caught the eye in a loan spell for the Dons last season and started in their Scottish Cup final triumph against Celtic Alfie Dorrington is facing an uphill battle to force his way into the plans of new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank after the Aberdeen cup hero was not given a squad number for the club's pre-season schedule. The 20-year-old was handed his debut at Spurs by Ange Postecoglou in the Premier League last season before heading up to Pittodrie on loan for the second half of the campaign, where he started in the Dons' shock Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic on penalties. Dorrington has now returned to London for pre-season but looks to have fallen down the pecking order under new manager Frank, who has replaced the sacked Postecoglou from nearby Brentford. In a statement confirming their squad numbers for their five friendly fixtures before their Premier League kick-off against Burnley on August 16, Dorrington was one of a number of absentees along with fellow youngsters Tyrese Hall and Callum Olusesi as well as big money signing Bryan Gil. The centre back is contracted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2029 but his omission suggests that Frank does not see Dorrington as part of his squad for the coming season. The England youth international impressed in his 16 appearances for Aberdeen, scoring once in a 4-1 victory against Motherwell. Jimmy Thelin's men are gearing up for a campaign in Europe that will last until Christmas at least and following their triumph at Hampden, chairman Dave Cormack did not rule out the prospect of Dorrington returning to the Granite City for another loan spell. In an interview with Graham Spiers' Press Box podcast on May 30, he 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." Meanwhile, Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield has confirmed he is looking to bolster his attacking options after seeing two bids for Dons winger Shayden Morris thrown out. The Hatters second offer was said to be worth £600,000 but that was not enough to bring Aberdeen to the table. Morris enjoyed an impressive season last year, registering five goals and 13 assists but with a year remaining on his contract, the 23-year-old remains in talks over a potential extension. Luton will compete in EFL League One next season after suffering back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and Bloomfield has hinted that attacking targets are still on the agenda. He told Luton Today: "We're very respectful of the group we've got. With the forwards I think we've some really good attacking options. If the right option becomes available to us and we can take it then we will do so if we feel like we're going to get stronger, but I think that's for all over the pitch. "Defensively we are strong, in midfield we've got some very, very good options. If the right option comes up higher up the pitch then we'll grab it, but we're also really happy with some of the options we've got there already. "As with any window you grab some that you really believe in and you miss out on some that for whatever reason wasn't quite right, whether that be on the playing side, the club side or financially. "In terms of acquiring the players we were looking to acquire, we wanted some pace and we've acquired some pace. We wanted some leadership, we've done that. It's never a perfect window but we've been pleased with what we've done so far.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Aberdeen and Luton apart on Morris valuation
Luton Town will have to significantly up their offer if they want to sign Aberdeen winger Shayden Morris after falling short with two bids for the latest approach from the English League One side is understood to be around the £600,000 the clubs are apart on their valuation of the player, who is entering the final year of his contract at moved to Aberdeen from Fleetwood Town in the summer of 2022 and has often been used from the scored five goals last season and provided 13 assists for Jimmy Thelin's of those assists came in the Scottish Cup as the Dons went on to lift the trophy for the first time since featured in all 38 Premiership matches last term but started just 11 of those.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Aberdeen reject £600k bid from English club for key star as two offers booted out
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ABERDEEN have kicked out two bids for Shayden Morris from English League One side Luton Town. Hatters boss Matt Bloomfield put £600,000 on the table in an attempt to get the 23-year-old out of Pittodrie. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Shayden Morris is high up on Luton Town's shortlist Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Jimmy Thelin wants to keep the winger beyond this summer Credit: PA But Dons chiefs have told them Morris won't be leaving for a return south at that price. The ex-Fleetwood Town winger was a key man for Jimmy Thelin last season, often changing games off the bench. It was Morris's shot which Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel let squirm under him for the shock equaliser in last season's Scottish Cup final, which the Dons went on to win on penalties. With Aberdeen heading to Europe they need a strong squad capable of coping with performing on two fronts, so they don't want to lose the attacker from their squad. And with millions set to be banked from playing in either the Europa League or Conference groups, they're under no pressure to sell at what they believe is below the market rate. Luton have lodged two bids so far and seen them both rebuffed, so it remains to be seen if they'll come back a third time with an improved offer. Morris is under contract for another 12 months, having signed a four-year deal in 2022 when he arrived under Jim Goodwin. He has told Aberdeen he's willing to discuss an extension but as yet no new contract has been agreed. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Press and Journal
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen summer signing performances assessed as Jimmy Thelin's new look side edge past Cove Rangers 2-0
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin handed debuts to five of his six summer transfer window signings in a 2-0 friendly win against Cove Rangers. For the Dons supporters in the sell-out 3,200 crowd, a record attendance at the Balmoral Stadium, it was the first chance to see the new additions in action. Thelin handed debuts to winger Nicolas Milanovic, striker Kusini Yengi, midfielders Adil Aouchiche, Kjartan Már Kjartansson and keeper Nick Suman. Summer signing Emmanuel Gyamfi, signed from German Bundesliga 2 side Schalke, was not in the squad due to injury. Ante Palaversa and Nicky Devlin netted either side of half-time against a Cove Rangers side who were brave in possession and created chances. This was Aberdeen's first game since the Scottish Cup final triumph against Celtic in May, and of the new additions Milanovic and Kjartansson were the stand-outs. Thelin is closing in on more additions to strengthen for a campaign with guaranteed European league action. Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin handed starts to Yengi and Milanovic. Milanovic, 23, operated on the right wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Yengi, 26, leading the attack ahead of teen Fletcher Boyd who was central in the midfield three. Australian Milanovic delivered an impressive debut performance, but should have scored, before being one of eight substitutions at half-time. Milanovic arrived at Pittodrie this summer on a high having been awarded the prestigious A-League Player of the Year award, and looks fired up to keep up that momentum. Signed for a fee of around £400,000 from Western Sydney Wanderers the winger also secured a debut call-up to the Australian national squad in May. After only 45 minutes of a friendly against a League One side it is very early days, but Milanovic could be a bargain buy at £400,000. He looked sharp in possession and was denied a quick-fire debut goal in the 17th minute when racing onto an Alexander Jensen through-ball. The winger read the situation well to burst onto the pass before unleashing a powerful low drive from 10 yards. To Milanovic's frustration the shot was blocked at the near post by keeper Robbie Mutch. Milanovic looked particularly dangerous when cutting inside onto his left, and in the 28th minute fired a 20 yard effort wide of the far-post. The woodwork denied the summer signing when he raced onto a low drive across goal from Yengi. His shot from close range cracked off the woodwork and went over. He should have scored. Milanovic looked a threat when dribbling wide and again cut inside and shot from distance, in the 40th minute, but his 25 yard drive went wide. The winger also impressed defensively and tracked back on a number of occasions to win possession. Fellow Australian Yengi was also substituted off at half-time after a solid debut. Former Portsmouth striker Yengi was signed to bolster an attack now minus loan stars Kevin Nisbet (Millwall) and Oday Dabbagh (Charleroi) who returned to their parent club. The 11-times capped international striker came close to an assist when his perfectly timed curved run sprung the defence to latch onto a Boyd through-ball. Yengi had the option to shoot from an acute tight angle with only the keeper to beat but showed impressive awareness to pick out the run of Milanovic. He rolled a pass to the onrushing Milanovic who hit the bar. Aberdeen boss Thelin introduced three further summer signings at half-time for debuts – midfielders Aouchiche, Kjartansson and Suman. French attacking midfielder Aouchiche was secured on a season-long loan from Sunderland and displayed his range of passing against Cove. Aberdeen have an option to buy the 22-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, next summer, understood to be for a club record fee of £1.5million. Auchiche played in the centre of a midfield three. Midway through the second half he collected the ball under pressure on the left, retained possession then calmly looked up to assess the flow of the game. Aouchiche then pinged a superb cross-field pass directly into the path of Jensen racing down the right-flank. It was a glimpse of the midfielder' composure and game vision. In the 80th minute the French winger slid a through-ball to the onrushing Vicente Besuijen that ripped open the Cove defence. However Besuijen was judged to be marginally offside. Aouchiche played a role in second goal when he instigated the attack with a perfectly judged pass to Gueye who rolled to Devlin to score. Iceland midfielder Kjartansson was secured on a four-year deal from Stjarnan for an undisclosed fee and brings a real physical presence to Aberdeen. He is powerful and aggressive in the challenge but physicality is only a fraction of his game. The Icelandic international reads the game extremely well to intercept passes, is composed and plays with a maturity beyond his years. A No.6 holding midfielder he will be viewed as the long-term replacement for veterans Sivert-Heltne Nilsen and Graeme Shinnie. For keeper Suman it was a rapid return to the Balmoral Stadium having played for Cove Rangers last season. Australian Suman was vocal, commanded his box and delivered a confident performance. He marked his Aberdeen debut with a clean sheet. Aberdeen created the first chance via a Milanovic shot then in the 20th minute Cove had a rasping 20 yard drive from a trialist saved by keeper Dimitar Mitov. The opener came in the 23rd minute when captain Graeme Shinnie, operating at left-back, squared a low pass to Ante Palaversa. Midfielder fired a low 20-yard left-footed drive beyond keeper Mutch. The woodwork denied the Dons a second when Milanovic cracked the crossbar with a close range shot in the 35th minute. On the stroke of half-time Mitov saved from Fraser Fyvie with the loose ball falling to David Eguaibor who kneed an effort from six yards. Mats Knoester cleared the effort off the line. In the 55th minute a curling effort from Pape Gueye was tipped over the bar by Cove keeper Balint Demus. Cove threatened in the 75th minute when Eguaibor fired wide from 20 yards. Aberdeen made it 2-0 with the last kick of the game when Nicky collected a pass from Gueye before firing home. : Mitov (Suman 46); Jensen, Milne (Molloy 46), Knoester, Shinnie (Devlin 46); Palaversa (Kjartansson 46), Clarkson (To 80); Milanovic (Morris 46), Boyd (Auchiche 46), Keskinen (Besuijen 46); Yengi (Gueye 46) : Mutch (Demus 46); Bisland, Trialist, Parker, Darge; Glass (Donaldson 79), Megginson (McGrath 63), Fyvie (Milnes 79) , Strachan; Equaibor, Trialist (Ochmanski 63) Referee: Greg Soutar Man-of-the-Match: Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen) Attendance: 3,200
