2025–26 Aberdeen F.C. season

Aberdeen
2025–26 season
ChairmanDave Cormack
ManagerJimmy Thelin
GroundPittodrie Stadium
Aberdeen, Scotland
(Capacity: 20,866)
Scottish Premiership6th
Scottish CupFourth round
Scottish League CupQuarter-finals
Europa LeaguePlay-off round
Conference LeagueLeague phase

The 2025–26 Aberdeen F.C. season is Aberdeen's 112th season in the top flight of Scottish football and the thirteenth in the Scottish Premiership.[1] Aberdeen will also compete in the League Cup and the Scottish Cup. They participated in qualifying for the UEFA Europa League having won the Scottish Cup. However, they competed in the Group phase of the Conference League and finished in 35th place.

Summary

May

On 15 May 2025, Australian winger Nicolas Milanovic signed for an undisclosed fee, reported to be the highest in Western Sydney Wanderers history. Topi Keskinen was named in the Finland U21 squad for the UEFA European U21 Championships. On 29 May, the club announced the departures of players Jack MacKenzie who joined Plymouth Argyle, Ross Doohan, Tom Ritchie, Jamie McGrath who signed a pre-contract with fellow Premiership side Hibernian, youth players Blair McKenzie, Evan Towler, Victor Enem and Fraser Mackie. All players on loan returned to their respective clubs. On 30 May, Australian goalkeeper Nick Suman signed on a free after being released by League One side Cove.

June

On 2 June, Timothy Akindileni left the club to join EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee. On 3 June, Dutch defender Mats Knoester signed a long-term contract lasting until 2029. On 6 June, Emmanuel Gyamfi signed for an undisclosed fee from German Bundesliga 2 side Schalke 04. On 8 June, Australian international striker Kusini Yengi joined on a free from English side Portsmouth. On 19 June, James McGarry left and signed a deal with Brisbane Roar to join their club on 1 July. Ipswich Town was confirmed as a pre-season friendly for the new campaign[2] along with Cove Rangers and a match behind closed doors.[3] The regular league fixtures were also announced.

July

Pre-season started with a win at Cove Rangers, followed by a loss at Fulham's training ground and then at Pittodrie against Ipswich Town. Nineteen year old Icelandic midfielder Kjartan Már Kjartansson joined for an undisclosed fee while James McGarry and Richard Jensen left the club. The Dons signed a new Co-operation loan deal as part of the SPFL agreement with Kelty Hearts and Elgin City. Alfie Stewart re-joined Inverness and Vinnie Besuijen went also on a half-season loan to HJK. Adil Aouchiche joined on loan from Sunderland and Alfie Dorrington re-signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. On 31 July, Cammy Wilson left the club to sign for Derby County for an undisclosed fee.

August

Striker Pape Habib Guèye was sold to Kasımpaşa for a reported £850,000. Alfie Bavidge re-joined Inverness on a season long loan. They lost the season opener to Hearts on a Monday night live on television. This was followed up with another loss at home to Celtic. However they bounced back with a comfortable win at Morton in the League Cup. Slobodan Rubežić was sold and the club signed Kenan Bilalović from Värnamo and Marko Lazetić from AC Milan both for fees. The Dons came from two goals down to draw their first leg play-off match against FCSB. On 22 August, Ellis Clark left the club to sign for Burnley for an undisclosed fee. FCSB won the play-off with Aberdeen finishing the match with ten players and dropping to the Conference League Group Stage. Young left-back Mitchell Frame signed from Celtic for £250,000. A loss in the League at home to Falkirk, again ending a match with ten players resulted in the club being bottom having lost all three matches without scoring.

September

On Deadline Day, Kevin Nisbet re-joined the club on a permanent basis from Millwall for £300,000. Swedish International Jesper Karlsson joined on loan from Bologna. Shayden Morris left for Luton Town for an undisclosed fee. Stuart Armstrong signed a two year deal on a free. Aston Villa signed Fletcher Boyd for an undisclosed fee believed to be close a to a million pounds and joined up with their Academy. Ester Sokler left on a season loan deal to Serbian club Radnički Kragujevac. Dimitar Mitov, Topi Keskinen, Nicolas Milanovic and Kjartan Már Kjartansson along with youngsters Cooper Masson and Rodrigo Vitols were called up for the September Internationals.

Results & fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Pre-season

12 July 2025 Friendly Cove Rangers 0–2 Aberdeen Altens, Aberdeen
13:00 BST Report Palaversa 23'
Devlin 90'		 Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 2200
Referee: Greg Soutar
19 July 2025 Friendly Fulham 4–1 Aberdeen Fulham, West London
Wilson 19' (pen.), 37'
Muniz 52'
King 73'		 Report Yengi 2' Stadium: Motspur Park – Fulham Training Ground
Attendance: 0
25 July 2025 Friendly Aberdeen 1–3 Ipswich Town Aberdeen, Scotland
19:30 BST Ambrose 79' Report Philogene 28', 59'
Hirst 38'		 Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 12,694
Referee: Dan McFarlane

Scottish Premiership

Main article: 2025–26 Scottish Premiership
4 August 2025 1 Heart of Midlothian 2–0 Aberdeen Tynecastle Park
20:00 Shinnie 11 o.g.'
Findlay 73'		 Attendance: 18,677
Referee: Nick Walsh
Note: Live on Sky Sports
10 August 2025 2 Aberdeen 0–2 Celtic Pittodrie Stadium
12:30 Report Nygren 27'
Hatate 66'		 Attendance: 18,388
Referee: John Beaton
Note: Live on Sky Sports
31 August 2025 3 Aberdeen 0–1 Falkirk Pittodrie Stadium
15:00 Devlin  43' Report Wilson 75' Attendance: 18,380
Referee: Ross Hardie
13 September 2025 4 Aberdeen 0–0 Livingston Pittodrie Stadium
15:00 Report Attendance: 17,088
Referee: Nick Walsh
23 September 2025 5 Dundee United 2–0 Aberdeen Tannadice Park
19:45 Dolček 45'
Esselink 50'		 Report Attendance: 11,052
Referee: Steven McLean
Note: Postponed due to Aberdeen's involvement in the UEFA Europa League play-off
27 September 2025 6 Motherwell 2–0 Aberdeen Fir Park
15:00 Koutroumbis 90+2'
Stamatelopoulos 90+7 pen.'		 Report Attendance: 7,195
Referee: Ryan Lee
5 October 2025 7 Aberdeen 4–0 Dundee Pittodrie Stadium
15:00 Karlsson 22 pen.', 63'
Aouchiche 30'
Gyamfi 33'		 Report Attendance: 16,525
Referee: Don Robertson
18 October 2025 8 St Mirren 0–1 Aberdeen St Mirren Park
15:00 Richardson  81' Report Lazetić 90+6' Attendance: 7,333
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
26 October 2025 9 Aberdeen 1–2 Hibernian Pittodrie Stadium
14:30 Lazetić 90+4' Report Klidjé 34'
Youan 87'		 Attendance: 18,227
Referee: Don Robertson
29 October 2025 10 Kilmarnock 0–1 Aberdeen Rugby Park
19:45 Report Armstrong 18' Attendance: 5,118
Referee: Duncan Nicolson
9 November 2025 11 Aberdeen 1–1 Motherwell Pittodrie Stadium
15:00 Karlsson 61' Report Just 64' Attendance: 17,843
Referee: Steven McLean
23 November 2025 12 Aberdeen 1–0 Heart of Midlothian Pittodrie Stadium
15:00 Keskinen 39' Report Attendance: 17,850
Referee: David Dickinson
30 November 2025 13 Livingston 0–1 Aberdeen Almondvale Stadium
15:00 Report Devlin 80' Referee: Don Robertson
3 December 2025 14 Aberdeen 3–3 St Mirren Pittodrie Stadium
19:45 Polvara 71'
Lazetić 73', 85'		 Report Fraser 55 pen.'
Ayunga 82'
King 90+9'		 Attendance: 14,826
Referee: Steven McLean
6 December 2025 15 Dundee 1–3 Aberdeen Dens Park
15:00 Astley 60' Report Aouchiche 17', 30'
Nisbet 90+2'		 Attendance: 7,402
Referee: Grant Irvine
14 December 2025 16 Aberdeen 2–1 Kilmarnock Pittodrie Stadium
15:00 Bilalović 79'
Karlsson 85 pen.'		 Report John-Jules 17' Attendance: 15,472
Referee: Ross Hardie
21 December 2025 17 Celtic 3–1 Aberdeen Celtic Park
15:00 Nygren 39'
Tierney 88'
Forrest 90+2'		 Report Lobban  45+3'
Bilalović 74'		 Attendance: 58,798
Referee: David Dickinson
27 December 2025 18 Aberdeen v Dundee United Pittodrie Stadium
17:45
30 December 2025 19 Hibernian v Aberdeen Easter Road
19:45

Scottish League Cup

Main article: 2025–26 Scottish League Cup

Knockout phase

16 August 2025 Second round Greenock Morton 0–3 Aberdeen Cappielow
15:00 Report Heltne Nilsen 32'
Yengi 37'
Clarkson 79'		 Attendance: 4,885
Referee: Matthew MacDermid
20 September 2025 Quarter-finals Aberdeen 0–1 Motherwell Pittodrie Stadium
15:00 Report Charles-Cook 63' Attendance: 10,533
Referee: John Beaton

Scottish Cup

Main article: 2025–26 Scottish Cup
18 January 2026 Fourth round Aberdeen v Raith Rovers Pittodrie Stadium
14:30

UEFA Europa League

Main article: 2025–26 UEFA Europa League

Play-off round

21 August 2025 First leg Aberdeen 2–2 FCSB Pittodrie Stadium
19:45 Polvara 61'
Sokler 89'		 Report Bîrligea 32'
Cisotti  38'
Olaru 46'		 Attendance: 17,551
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük
28 August 2025 Second leg FCSB 3–0
(5–2 agg.)		 Aberdeen Arena Națională
19:45 Olaru 45+1 pen.', 59'
Șut 52'		 Report Jensen  44' Attendance: 35,341
Referee: Espen Eskås

UEFA Conference League

Main article: 2025–26 UEFA Conference League

League phase

2 October 2025 1 Aberdeen 2–3 Shakhtar Donetsk Pittodrie Stadium
20:00 Karlsson 8 pen.'
Devlin 69'		 Report Nazaryna 38'
Ferreira 54'
Henrique 59'		 Attendance: 15,504
Referee: Duje Strukan
23 October 2025 2 AEK Athens 6–0 Aberdeen Agia Sophia Stadium
18:45 Koïta 11', 18'
Eliasson 27'
Marin 55'
Jović 81'
Kutesa 87'		 Report Attendance: 20,921
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
6 November 2025 3 AEK Larnaca 0–0 Aberdeen AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis
18:45 Report Attendance: 4,770
Referee: Dalibor Cerny
27 November 2025 4 Aberdeen 1–1 Noah Pittodrie Stadium
20:00 Nisbet 45' Report Mulahusejnović 52' Referee: Paweł Raczkowski
11 December 2025 5 Aberdeen 0–1 Strasbourg Pittodrie Stadium
20:00 Report Godo 35' Attendance: 15,404
Referee: Robert Schröder
18 December 2025 6 Sparta Prague 3–0 Aberdeen Stadion Letná
20:00 Mercado 16'
Haraslín 29'
Kuol 66'		 Report Attendance: 14,343
Referee: David Smajc

Squad statistics

Appearances

As of 21 December 2025
No. Pos Player Premiership Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Dimitar Mitov 17 0 0 0 2 0 8 0 27 0
2 DF Nicky Devlin 14+1 1 0 0 0+2 0 6+1 1 24 2
4 MF Graeme Shinnie 8+5 0 0 0 1+1 0 3+5 0 23 0
5 DF Mats Knoester 16 0 0 0 1 0 7+1 0 25 0
6 MF Sivert Heltne Nilsen 5+2 0 0 0 1 1 1+3 0 12 1
7 MF Adil Aouchiche 13+3 3 0 0 1 0 7 0 24 3
8 MF Dante Polvara 8+6 1 0 0 0+1 0 4+3 1 22 2
9 FW Kusini Yengi 3+1 0 0 0 1 1 1+4 0 10 1
10 MF Leighton Clarkson 2+7 0 0 0 0+2 1 2+4 0 17 1
11 FW Nicolas Milanovic 4+4 0 0 0 1 0 1+4 0 14 0
13 GK Nicholas Suman 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 MF Kenan Bilalović 0+4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2
15 FW Kevin Nisbet 8+6 1 0 0 1 0 2+3 1 20 2
16 MF Stuart Armstrong 12+1 1 0 0 1 0 4+1 0 19 1
17 FW Jesper Karlsson 12+1 4 0 0 1 0 6 1 20 5
18 MF Ante Palaversa 3+2 0 0 0 1+1 0 4+1 0 12 0
21 DF Gavin Molloy 2+4 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 8 0
22 DF Jack Milne 15+1 0 0 0 1 0 8 0 25 0
23 MF Ryan Duncan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24 DF Kristers Tobers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
26 DF Alfie Dorrington 3+3 0 0 0 2 0 3+3 0 14 0
27 FW Marko Lazetić 5+8 4 0 0 0+1 0 4+2 0 20 4
28 DF Alexander Jensen 14+1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 16 0
29 MF Kjartan Már Kjartansson 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
32 FW Peter Ambrose 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
38 DF Dylan Lobban 7 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 11 0
77 DF Emmanuel Gyamfi 5+1 1 0 0 1 0 0+2 0 9 1
81 FW Topi Keskinen 8+8 1 0 0 1+1 0 5+1 0 24 1
Players who left the club during the season
17 MF Fletcher Boyd 0+2 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 3 0
19 FW Ester Sokler 0+2 0 0 0 0 0 1+1 1 4 1
20 FW Shayden Morris 0+2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0

Goalscorers

As of 21 December 2025

Ranking Nation Number Name Scottish Premiership Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Total
1 17 Jesper Karlsson 4 0 0 1 5
= 27 Marko Lazetić 4 0 0 0 4
3 7 Adil Aouchiche 3 0 0 0 3
4 2 Nicky Devlin 1 0 0 1 2
= 8 Dante Polvara 1 0 0 1 2
= 14 Kenan Bilalović 2 0 0 0 2
= 15 Kevin Nisbet 1 0 0 1 2
8 6 Sivert Heltne Nilsen 0 0 1 0 1
= 9 Kusini Yengi 0 0 1 0 1
= 10 Leighton Clarkson 0 0 1 0 1
= 16 Stuart Armstrong 1 0 0 0 1
= 19 Ester Sokler 0 0 0 1 1
= 77 Emmanuel Gyamfi 1 0 0 0 1
= 81 Topi Keskinen 1 0 0 0 1
TOTALS 19 0 3 5 27

Club statistics

Competition overview

Competition First match Last match Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Premiership 4 August 2025 May 2026 17 7 3 7 19 20 −1 041.18
Scottish Cup 18 January 2026 2026 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !—
League Cup 16 August 2025 20 September 2025 2 1 0 1 3 1 +2 050.00
Europa League 21 August 2025 28 August 2025 2 0 1 1 2 5 −3 000.00
Conference League 2 October 2025 18 December 2025 6 0 2 4 3 14 −11 000.00
Total 27 8 6 13 27 40 −13 029.63

Source: Competitions

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
4 Rangers 17 7 8 2 24 15 +9 29 Qualification for the Conference League second qualifying round[b]
5 Hibernian 18 6 7 5 28 20 +8 25
6 Aberdeen 17 7 3 7 19 20 −1 24
7 Falkirk 18 6 6 6 20 26 −6 24
8 Dundee United 18 4 9 5 24 27 −3 21
Updated to match(es) played on 21 December 2025. Source: [4][5]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only if deciding champion, UEFA competition qualification, second stage group allocation, or relegation).[6]
Notes:
  1. ^ Teams play each other three times (33 matches), before the league is split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six).
  2. ^ The winners of the 2025–26 Scottish Cup will qualify for the Europa League. If the cup winners finish in the top two, the berth reserved for the cup winners (Europa League third qualifying round) passes to the third-placed team, and the berths for the Conference League second qualifying round are passed down to the fourth- and fifth-placed teams.

Results by round

Round1234567891011121314151617
GroundAHHHAAHAHAHHAHAHA
ResultLLLDLLWWLWDWWDWWL
Position12121212121212111198877666
Updated to match(es) played on 21 December 2025. Source:
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Conference League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
32 BK Häcken 6 0 3 3 5 8 −3 3
33 Hamrun Spartans 6 1 0 5 4 11 −7 3
34 Shelbourne 6 0 2 4 0 7 −7 2
35 Aberdeen 6 0 2 4 3 14 −11 2
36 Rapid Wien 6 0 1 5 3 14 −11 1
Source: UEFA[7]
Rules for classification: League phase tiebreakers

Transfers

Main articles: List of Scottish football transfers summer 2025 and List of Scottish football transfers winter 2025–26

See also

References

  1. ^ "Key dates for Season 2025/26". SPFL. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Aberdeen Friendly Confirmed". Ipswich Town F.C. 17 June 2025.
  3. ^ https://www.afc.co.uk/2025/06/17/old-european-rivals-return-to-pittodrie-for-pre-season/
  4. ^ "Scottish Premiership Table". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 January 2025. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Premiership League Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Archived from the original on 30 January 2025. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  6. ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League (Rule Number C35-C37)" (PDF). SPFL. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  7. ^ "League phase table". UEFA. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Aberdeen sign 'exciting' Australian winger Milanovic". BBC. 15 May 2025.
  9. ^ Dodd, James (16 May 2025). "Western Sydney Wanderers agree club-record transfer fee for Nicolas Milanovic: Full Details". aleagues.com.au.
  10. ^ "Aberdeen agree deal for Cove Rangers goalkeeper Nick Suman". BBC Sport. 30 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Dons Seal Deal with FC Schalke 04 Talent". Aberdeen FC. 6 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Aberdeen sign striker Yengi after Portsmouth exit". BBC Sport. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Aberdeen buy Iceland youth Kjartansson from Stjarnan". BBC Sport. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Bilalovic chooses Aberdeen over 'options across continent'". BBC Sport. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Lazetic 'loves the energy' as he joins Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 18 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  16. ^ Burns, Scott; Britton, Ruaraidh (30 August 2025). "Aberdeen beat Premier League giants in Mitchel Frame transfer battle with deal finalised". Aberdeen Live. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Kevin Nisbet: Aberdeen buy Scotland striker from Millwall". BBC Sport. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  18. ^ "Scotland cap Armstrong signs for Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Summer 2025 squad update". AFC. 29 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Plymouth sign former Aberdeen defender MacKenzie". BBC Sport. 30 May 2025.
  21. ^ "Hibernian transfers: Midfielder Jamie McGrath to join when Aberdeen deal expires". BBC Sport. 25 February 2025.
  22. ^ "Defender Timothy Akindileni joins Dev Squad". QPR FC. 2 June 2025.
  23. ^ "AKINDILENI MAKES QPR MOVE MOVE". AFC. 2 June 2025.
  24. ^ "McGarry departs for roar". AFC. 19 June 2025.
  25. ^ "Defender Jensen leaves Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  26. ^ https://www.facebook.com/groups/434521823342378/posts/10082650481862749/
  27. ^ "Academy News: Attacker Wilson Links Up With U21s From Aberdeen". Derby County FC. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  28. ^ "YOUNG DON MAKES DERBY COUNTY MOVE". AFC. 31 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Gueye exits Aberdeen for 'significant fee'". BBC Sport. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  30. ^ "Slobodan Rubežić nowym piłkarzem Korony Kielce!" [Slobodan Rubežić is the new Korona Kielce player!]. www.korona-kielce.pl (in Polish). 20 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Rubezic completes move to Korona Kielce for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  32. ^ "CLARK JOINS U21S SQUAD". Burnley FC. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  33. ^ "YOUNG MIDFIELDER DEPARTS YOUTH ACADEMY MOVE". AFC. 22 August 2025.
  34. ^ Wallace, Sean (1 September 2025). "Transfer deadline day latest: Aberdeen winger Shayden Morris exits Pittodrie as boss Jimmy Thelin reveals his plans for transfer fee". Press & Journal. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  35. ^ "Boyd joins Villa Academy". Aston Villa FC. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  36. ^ "'Technically gifted' Aouchiche joins Dons on loan from Sunderland". BBC Sport. 6 July 2025.
  37. ^ "'No brainer' as Dorrington returns to Dons on loan". BBC Sport. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  38. ^ "Aberdeen FC - Dons Swoop for Swedish Sensation". Aberdeen FC. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  39. ^ "Findlay Marshall". Aberdeen FC. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  40. ^ "Dons launch historic link with Elgin City FC". Aberdeen FC. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  41. ^ "Dons Confirm Second Cooperative Agreement". Aberdeen FC. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  42. ^ "Alfie Stewart signs for ICTFC". ICT FC. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  43. ^ "Buckie Thistle sign Aberdeen teenagers Theo Cummings and Aaron Simpson on loan". Grampian Online. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  44. ^ "Winger Besuijen joins HJK Helsinki on six-month loan". Grampian Online. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  45. ^ "Alfie Bavidge Heads North On Loan/". Aberdeen FC. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  46. ^ "Sokler heads out on loan". Aberdeen FC. 3 September 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  47. ^ "Ryan Duncan joins County on loan". Ross County FC. 30 September 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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