Aberdeen and Dundee are competing with teams in England for the signature of Ross County striker Ronan Hale. (Belfast Telegraph - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSMats Knoester has signed a contract extension at Aberdeen to 2029 after proving to be an "outstanding addition" since his arrival in February.
The Dutch centre-back, who signed from Ferencvaros on a two-and-a-half-year deal, made 17 Dons appearances last season, including the full Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic as Jimmy Thelin's side prevailed on penalties.
"Mats has been an outstanding addition to our squad, both on and off the pitch, since his arrival at the start of the year," said manager Thelin.
"Securing his services for the next four years is a significant step for us as we continue to build a competitive team capable of competing on all fronts next season."
Knoester, 26, says extending his stay at Pittodrie "feels like the right thing to do".
He added: "The past few months have been very positive for me and since day one, my family and I have been made to feel very welcome. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.
"The club has fantastic infrastructure, ionate ers, and a clear direction for the future.
"I'm looking forward to growing together and I am keen to play my part in the team's future success as we work hard to achieve our goals."
Image source, SNSAberdeen were unable to convince Timothy Akindileni to stay at the club
Aberdeen say they are "finding it increasingly difficult" to hold on to young talent after confirming teenage defender Timothy Akindileni has left to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee.
The Pittodrie side say they made "prolonged attempts to persuade" the 17-year-old to stay, but the youngster has opted to QPR's development squad.
The centre-back impressed in the Dons youth set-up but never played a first-team game for the club.
"We are, of course, disappointed to be losing Timi as we had high hopes for him," said Aberdeen director of football Steven Gunn.
"We made numerous attempts to convince him to stay with Aberdeen, but similar to the issues faced by so many Scottish clubs in recent years, we are finding it increasingly difficult to hold on to our young players."
Gunn adds that Aberdeen have "negotiated a significant deal" that will provide "future protection" if Akindileni develops "into the player we hoped he could be".
Image source, Rex FeaturesQPR have signed centre-back Timothy Akindileni from Aberdeen.
The 17-year-old will up with the Hoops' development squad ahead of next season.
Akindileni impressed in the youth set-up but did not play a game for the senior side for the Dons.
"I'm over the moon. There was interest from other clubs but QPR just stood out for me because the development here for young players is extraordinary," he told the club's website, external.
"You can see it through all the young players coming up to the first team, and that's what really persuaded me to come here."
Aberdeen chief executive Alan Burrows says the club's Scottish Cup triumph may jump start talks over a new stadium.
Plans to move away from Pittodrie have slowed recently after a decade of talk around a move away from the club's spiritual home.
A proposed shift to a site near the club's training ground moved on to a regeneration of a beach front site, however Burrows says "plans have slowed down".
"It's been decades in the making," he told Sportsound.
"What can I tell you on the back of all those scenes in Aberdeen over the last four or fives days is a renewed reminder of the power of football but the city of Aberdeen.
"There's certainly been communication with the local authority and myself and others at the club. There's a willingness to get back around the table."
Image source, SNSAberdeen have played at Pittodrie since 1899
Image source, SNSAberdeen chairman Dave Cormack says up to seven new gs could arrive at Pittodrie this summer as they plan for guaranteed European football through the first half of next season.
The Dons' Scottish Cup final triumph over Celtic means they have a Europa League play-off and, should they lose, will drop into the Conference League.
The club have already signed goalkeeper Nick Suman and winger Nicolas Milanovic.
"Yeah, I would think that anything between five and seven players, maybe at this stage," Cormack told Graham Speirs' podcast Press Box., external
"It's great that with [chief executive] Alan Burrows and [director of football] Steven Gunn being there, they're the guys that are working with the recruitment team on this.
"Because obviously [there are] a number of loan players that we brought in and one or two players kind of out of contract.
"So from what I'm seeing, I'm really impressed with the work the team are doing."
Cormack also didn't rule out a return for 20-year-old defender Alfie Dorrington, who made 16 appearances after arriving on loan from Tottenham in January.
He added: "I know Spurs have been, as I understand it from Steven and Alan, delighted with his loan.
"It's the first time the boy's been away from home in London, and he told me a number of times he's absolutely loved being away on his own, and he looks after himself as a player as well.
"So we'll just have to wait and see on that one."
Getting balance through the squad is also key for Cormack, who reckons the club are well placed to build in their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years.
"In of squad planning, we're in the best shape we've been since I've been back involved with the club almost eight years ago," he said.
"We've got a clear squad planning of core players through to development players model, and it's going to take us about another 12 to 24 months to get that there, but following that strategy is important."
