Graeme Shinnie will leave Aberdeen next month upon the expiry of his contract, bringing to a close one of the most memorable modern-day careers in the Club’s recent history.

The 34-year-old captain departs having made 344 appearances in Red, placing him 20th on Aberdeen’s all-time appearance list.

He also became the first Dons captain in 35 years to lift the Scottish Cup when he held the trophy aloft at Hampden in May 2025.

Graeme was offered a two-year contract extension to remain at Pittodrie, including a meaningful pathway into coaching and wider non-playing responsibilities that would have taken him through to a testimonial season.

However, after discussions with the Club, Graeme has chosen to pursue the next stage of his career elsewhere.

Paying tribute to Graeme’s contribution across his two spells at Aberdeen, manager Stephen Robinson said:

“Graeme has been an outstanding leader for Aberdeen Football Club.

“His dedication, work rate and influence within the dressing room have been invaluable and he has captained this Club with distinction.

“We understand his desire to continue playing regularly, something I could not guarantee going into next season.

“It goes without saying that he leaves here with our sincerest thanks, admiration and very best wishes for the future.”

Signed on a pre-contract agreement in January 2015, Graeme arrived at Pittodrie from Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he had largely operated as a left-back and captained the Highland side to a famous Scottish Cup success in 2015.

He made his Aberdeen debut in Macedonia on 2 July 2015 against KF Shkëndija in the Europa League.

Graeme would go on to play a leading role in many memorable European nights, making 32 appearances in continental competition, placing him 12th on Aberdeen’s all-time European appearance list.

His combative, passionate and consistently impressive performances in central midfield led to him being appointed Club captain ahead of the Scottish Cup Final in May 2017.

On 7 May 2019, Aberdeen announced that Graeme would leave the Club to join Derby County. He later moved to Wigan Athletic before returning to Pittodrie initially on loan in January 2023. That move was made permanent later that summer on a three-year deal.

During his second spell at the Club, he twice helped lead Aberdeen into UEFA Conference League group stage football and, in May 2025, made his 300th appearance for the Dons in the Scottish Cup Final, finally securing the major honour his Aberdeen career so richly deserved.

Driving his side forward as he so often did, Graeme became the first Aberdeen captain since 1990 to lift the famous trophy following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Celtic.

Leading by example to the very end, Shinnie stepped forward to score Aberdeen’s opening spot-kick in the shoot-out. Across his Aberdeen career he scored 22 goals, including several spectacular strikes, but that penalty at Hampden will arguably remain his most iconic moment in a red shirt.

He also became the first captain to lift the Scottish Cup with two different clubs out with the Old Firm.

Everyone at Aberdeen FC thanks Graeme for his outstanding service to the Club and wishes him and his family every success for the future.

He will always be welcome back at Pittodrie and will rightly be remembered as a true Dons legend.