Stephen Robinson has strengthened his coaching staff ahead of the new season with the appointment of Stephen Craigan, who joins the Club as First Team Coach while also leading the development of Aberdeen’s emerging talent.
The former Northern Ireland captain arrives at Pittodrie with a wealth of experience, having earned more than 50 international caps and enjoyed a successful playing career, most notably with Motherwell FC, where he later held coaching and managerial roles.
Alongside his first-team responsibilities, Stephen will oversee the transition of the Club’s most promising young players into senior football, working closely with Stuart Duff and the wider football department to ensure Aberdeen’s best young players are given every opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Highly regarded for his work in player development, including his time with Northern Ireland’s youth international teams, Stephen has already joined up with the squad and Dons boss Stephen Robinson believes his appointment represents an important step in strengthening both the first team and the Club’s long-term pathway.
He said: "Stephen brings extensive playing and coaching experience, but just as importantly he has an outstanding track record of helping young players fulfil their potential.
"We've identified the transition from Academy football into becoming an established first-team player as one of the most important stages in a player's development. Too often, talented young players simply train with the first team and are expected to improve naturally.
"Our ambition is to be much more deliberate than that. Stephen will work closely with our most promising young players on an individual basis, ensuring every aspect of their technical, tactical, physical and mental development is planned, monitored and challenged.
"He'll be an important link between our development group and the first team, helping create a pathway while giving our young players the very best opportunity to establish themselves at Aberdeen.
"I've worked with Stephen twice before and know exactly the qualities he'll bring. He'll demand high standards every day, and he'll help drive both the team's success and the development of players who can make a real impact for this football club."
A UEFA Pro Licence coach, Stephen officially took up his role this week and is excited by the opportunity to help shape the next generation of Aberdeen players.
He said: “I'm delighted to join Aberdeen. 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.
"Every player develops differently. My role is to make sure our highest-potential players receive the individual support, challenge and guidance they need alongside their first-team training to maximise that potential.
"That means looking at every aspect of their game and building tailored development plans that give them the best possible chance of succeeding.
"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."
