Aberdeen

Image source, Getty Images

Aberdeen have signed Moroccan striker Ayoub Mouloua from FUS Rabat on a three-year deal.

The 23-year-old put pen to paper on a three-year deal that includes the option of an extra 12 months.

The striker made 21 appearances for Rabat in the Moroccan top flight last term and scored six goals in those outings.

"We have been tracking Ayoub for several months now and have made a number of trips to Morocco to watch him play and get a real feel for the type of player and person he is," head coach Stephen Robinson told club media.

"He's a brave, aggressive striker who will give us a real physical presence in attack, but he's much more than that. He's mobile, works tirelessly for the team and has shown he knows where the goal is.

"When I got the chance to speak with him, it was clear he was hungry for the opportunity to join Aberdeen and take the next step in his career."

Mouloua was the joint top goalscorer in the Moroccan top flight for the 2024/25 season with 11 goals.

The forward has also earned two caps for the Moroccan national side and featured in last summer's African Nations Championship.

"It is a great honour to have the opportunity to join a club with the history and stature of Aberdeen," Mouloua told club media.

"I will always be grateful to everyone at FUS Rabat, the club where I began my career, but I felt this was the right opportunity to continue my development and challenge myself in a new environment.

"I can't wait to get to know my teammates and I will work as hard as I can every day to help bring success to the club and our supporters. I am really looking forward to playing at Pittodrie for the first time."

Image source, SNS

Six summer signings featured and Toyosi Olusanya scored as Aberdeen defeated Cove Rangers 1-0 at Balmoral Stadium in a pre-season friendly.

Alexander Briedl, Dan Happe, first-half captain Brad Lyons, Lewis Mayo, Olusanya and Tony Yogane all started for Stephen Robinson's side.

Olusanya, who has joined permanently after last season's loan spell, netted the first-half winner.

Nicky Devlin captained a new XI in the second half, with Nicholas Suman taking over from Rodrigo Vitols in goal.

Robinson's team face Twente in the Netherlands in their next friendly next Saturday.

Aberdeen are closing in on a deal for Moroccan striker Ayoub Mouloua, 23, from FUS Rabat. (Press & Journal - subscription required), external

Image source, SNS

Stephen Craigan has joined Stephen Robinson's coaching staff at Aberdeen and will also "oversee the transition of the club's most promising young players into senior football".

The former Northern Ireland captain played in Scotland for Motherwell and Partick Thistle.

Since retiring from playing, the 49-year-old has also had coaching roles with Motherwell and Northern Ireland along with work as a pundit.

"I'm delighted to join Aberdeen," Craigan said. "The opportunity to come to a club of this size was one I was incredibly excited about and I'm looking forward to supporting the staff and players.

"There is a real sense of excitement around the place ahead of the new season and I'm looking forward to playing my part as we all work towards delivering success.

"One of the biggest attractions of this role was the opportunity to work closely with the club's best young players. That's an area I've always enjoyed and where I believe I've done some of my best work.

"Ultimately, if we can help more young players establish themselves in Aberdeen's first team, contribute to winning matches and go on to enjoy successful careers, then we'll have done our job."

Meanwhile, Aberdeen striker Alfie Bavidge has rejoined Inverness on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old has scored 26 goals in 18 months with Caley Thistle, who will play in the Championship in the new season.

Former Motherwell centre-half Stephen Craigan is poised to join Stephen Robinson's coaching staff at Aberdeen. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

Aberdeen are keeping tabs on 24-year-old St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Kian Leavy. (Sun), external

Sunday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen have signed former Dundee loanee Tony Yogane on a deal until 2030, with the "really exciting prospect" joining for an undisclosed fee from Brentford.

The 20-year-old winger spent last season on loan at Dens Park - where he scored one goal and contributed five assists in 42 appearances - and Dons manager Stephen Robinson reckons he established himself as one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership.

Yogane began his career in Sheffield Wednesday's academy, then moved to Brentford and progressed through their B team, before a loan spell at Exeter City.

"Tony is a really exciting prospect," Robinson said.

"He is a player with huge potential, as he demonstrated during his time with Dundee last season, where he was one of the best players in the league.

"There were several clubs interested in Tony so it's a real coup for us to get him committed on a long-term deal.

"Tony has a real drive to improve, he's hungry to succeed and we believe this is the right environment to continue his development while helping push the club forward."

Yogane, who made League Cup appearances for Brentford under Thomas Frank, said: "After the season ended, my agent told me Aberdeen were interested and things moved forward quickly. This is the next step up for me.

"Aberdeen is a big club. I want to win things here. It is a big challenge after what happened last season, but we must go out and prove people wrong.

"When we played against Aberdeen last season, I just had a good feeling about the club. Especially when you see the size of the support. I can't wait to see the fans. Hopefully it is an enjoyable season."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen youth academy graduates Alfie Bavidge and Alfie Stewart have signed new deals with the north east club.

Striker Bavidge joined the club at eight years old and made his competitive debut back in 2023. He's since made five first team appearances for the Pittodrie club.

"I feel really good about the new deal," Bavidge told club media.

"At one stage, I wasn't sure what the future would hold, but after speaking with the manager at the end of last season, everything became much clearer.

"He gave me a lot of belief and confidence. The dream has always been to be an Aberdeen player, and I have been given another opportunity to prove myself."

Stewart, 19, is yet to make his senior debut for the Dons and spent last season on loan at Inverness alongside Bavidge. Stewart made 48 appearances and scored eight goals as the club secured promotion to the Championship.

"It has taken a little while for everything to get done, but once I heard the news, I was absolutely buzzing," Stewart said.

"When the season finished at Inverness, we came back and played in a bounce game. The manager called me into his office and said he would like me to stay. He said he liked how I play and what he had seen from me at Inverness. He wanted to keep me here and that was great to hear.

"I have been an Aberdeen fan my whole life. When you come into the professional setup, the aim is always to push on and make it into the first team. That is something I am now ready to challenge for."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen forward Marko Lazetic, 22, is attracting interest from clubs in Sweden and Switzerland. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Image source, SNS

Midfielder Connor Ronan "can't wait to get started" after joining Aberdeen on a two-year contract with the option of a further year.

The 28-year-old previously played under Dons boss Stephen Robinson at St Mirren and was most recently with Colorado Rapids.

He also has experience in England, Slovakia and Switzerland, with a total of 275 senior appearances and 15 goals so far.

Robinson told the Aberdeen website: "He's a creative player who will bring valuable experience to our midfield. He has a strong work ethic, can score goals and has clearly matured during his time in MLS.

"Just as importantly, he has the character and professionalism that we want within the squad."

And Ronan added: "I'm delighted to have everything finalised and can't wait to get started.

"From the first conversations I had with the manager, it was clear what the club is trying to build and where I fit into those plans.

"I've also worked with Stephen before and I know exactly what he'll expect from me. That was a really important factor.

"I want to be part of helping the club compete at the top end of the table, return to Europe and challenge for trophies."

Image source, SNS

Forward Toyosi Olusanya is "buzzing to be back" at Aberdeen after agreeing a two-year deal at Pittodrie.

The former St Mirren attacker, 28, had a loan spell at the Dons from Houston Dynamo last season and leaves the Major League Soccer outfit at the end of his contract. Englishman Olusanya scored twice in 18 Aberdeen appearances between January and May.

He played for eight different clubs in his homeland before joining St Mirren in 2022, during current Dons boss Stephen Robinson's spell in charge of the Buddies. He was loaned to Arbroath in 2023 and joined Houston in 2025. Dynamo loaned Olusanya to Doncaster Rovers before his first spell at Aberdeen.

"Toyosi made a really positive impact during his time with us last season and we're delighted to bring him back to the club," Robinson told the Aberdeen website.

"He gives us something different in the final third. His pace, power and energy make him a difficult opponent for defenders, while his work ethic and attitude are exactly what we want within the group. We believe there is much more to come from him."

And Olusanya said: "I am buzzing to be back. From the moment I arrived in January, I felt welcomed by everyone at the club.

"Coming in during the middle of a season isn't always easy. I was still working my way back to full fitness and adapting to a new environment, but I felt I improved as the weeks went on and now I have the opportunity to start again with a full pre-season behind me.

"I know the manager well and I know exactly what he expects from me."

Toyosi Olusanya has agreed a two-year contract with Aberdeen after Houston Dynamo decided against triggering a 12-month extension for the 28-year-old striker following his loan spell at Pittodrie. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Connor Ronan will sign a two-year contract with Aberdeen, with an option of a further 12 months, after the 28-year-old midfielder's exit from Colorado Rapids. (Daily Record), external

Aberdeen are considering signing Dave Richards after the 32-year-old goalkeeper turned down a new contract with Dundee United. (Daily Record), external

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Per Kristian Bratveit has left Aberdeen just six months into an 18-month contract.

The 30-year-old Norwegian joined in January after his contract ran out with Stromsgodset in his homeland but made just six appearances for the Scottish Premiership club.

Bratveit had arrived as back-up to number one Dimitar Mitov after Nick Suman picked up a serious ankle injury in training.

He becomes the ninth player to exit Pittodrie in Stephen Robinson's first transfer window as manager.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen will take on Dutch Eredivisie side Twente in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 4, July.

The match at Sportcomplex GFC in Goor, Overijssel will kick off at 13:00 BST.

Stephen Robinson's side will spend a week in the Netherlands as part of their 2026-27 preparations.

Prior to the match with Twente, the Dons meet Scottish League 1 Cove Rangers, managed by former Aberdeen player Paul Hartley. That game at Balmoral will take place on Saturday, 27 June at 14:00.

There will also be closed-door games in and around the meetings with Cove and Twente.

"Pre-season is a crucial time for us to build both physically and tactically and it will be important as we integrate new faces into the squad," Robinson told Aberdeen's website.

"The opportunity to take the team away to work together intensively and face strong opponents like FC Twente is extremely valuable for the group.

"It will be a good test and alongside a comprehensive schedule of pre-season matches, will act as an important step in our preparations for the season ahead."

Improving Aberdeen's away form is a priority for manager Stephen Robinson. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

Aberdeen have lined up a deal for Toyosi Olusanya but are waiting to discover if Houston Dynamo will trigger the option to extend the striker's deal by another year. (Aberdeen Live)

Blau-Weiss Linz's sporting director Christoph Schosswender says his club spent the entire season trying to convince new Aberdeen midfielder Alexander Briedl to sign a new contract. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Former Aberdeen attacker Niall McGinn believes Stephen Robinson can make the Pittodrie club a force in the Scottish Premiership again with the right financial backing. (Record), external

And defender Tom McIntyre, 27, backs Aberdeen to have an improved campaign next term after spending a short spell at Pittodrie in season 2025-26. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, Getty Images

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson believes new signing Dan Happe will bring leadership and aerial dominance to the Dons' defence.

The 27-year-old centre-back has signed a two-year deal at Pittodrie - with the option for a third - and will join Aberdeen when his contract at Leyton Orient expires later this summer.

Happe has spent his entire senior career with Orient, making over 250 appearances and earning promotion twice.

"Dan is a leader who given his stature is clearly dominant in the air, something which we have missed," Robinson said.

"Given his experience we think he can have an immediate impact while also contributing to our longer-term vision for the club. He's exactly the right type of character and brings the attributes we're looking for."

Happe says he turned down multiple clubs in England to move to Aberdeen.

"Having spent my entire career at one club it was a big decision to move on, but I just felt it was the right time to try something new, and this was an opportunity I could not turn down," he said.

"After speaking to the manager, he was so positive and enthusiastic about the club and what he wants to achieve here. He was very persuasive. I had other options, interest from teams in England, but after the call with him I was in now doubt this was the move for me.

"I know last season was not what anyone at Aberdeen would have wanted, it was disappointing, but I am confident better times lie ahead with the squad the manager is building. I want to help the team get back into Europe and help the team win trophies."

Aberdeen's large turnover of players will end after the current summer transfer window, says manager Stephen Robinson. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Stewart Milne was a "great servant" to Aberdeen and deserves praise for providing the backing to keep the club clear of financial problems, says former chief executive Keith Wyness.

Aberdeen businessman Milne, who spent more than two decades as chairman from 1998, is leaving the Dons board after 32 years.

Aberdeen won just three trophies - the Scottish Cup and two League Cups - during Milne's time at the club.

Wyness, who was chief executive for four years until 2004, told BBC Scotland: "He certainly put his money where his mouth was and he was very hard working, always had the best interest of the club at heart.

"He may not have had the success he obviously desired but it wasn't through want of trying and he deserves plaudits for his long stint at the top when many others didn't want to take up that hotseat.

"There were periods when if it hadn't been for Stewart securing debt or putting up assets then the club would have had real financial problems.

"He was able to ride through the waves and without his backing the club would have had some much rockier times. But he was always there, always willing to help and trying to find the right solution to find the way forward.

"He liked to be behind the scenes, he worked very well with the other club chairmen and within the SFA and the SPL.

"Stewart played a role when the 10 clubs resigned from the SPL, he backed me on that and we were never shied away from a fight.

"Stewart was always ready to try and do the right thing and back it up with real action. It's very rare in football and the fans have got to respect that and there's a lot of stories that will come out over time from behind the scenes that will prove that Stewart was a great servant to the club.

"He deserves to be remembered as somebody who kept the club really still pushing to try its best."

Aberdeen expect to complete to signing of Colorado Rapids midfielder Connor Ronan when the transfer window opens (Press & Journal)., external

Read Wednesday's gossip in full.