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