Leighton Clarkson departs for England

Leighton Clarkson has departed the Dons for English League One side Blackpool. Clarkson who started up in the Liverpool academy making three appearances for the Premier League side before making a loan switch to English Championship side Blackburn Rovers but failing to make any impact at Edwood Park. A loan move to Scotland was up next where the ex-Liverpool man impressed in the Granite City in which earned him a permanent switch from Anfield to Pittodrie. During his time up North, Leighton has made 154 appearances for Aberdeen netting 18 times and grabbing 17 assists along the way. Clarkson has made 5 caps in the England U20s side but failing to register any goal or assist for his nation. Following his departure, Leighton said: “From the moment I arrived on loan, I felt at home here and I want to thank all the coaches and club staff, both past and present, who have helped me over the years. “I’ve been fortunate to be part of many dressing rooms, but I have had some special moments with my teammates here and made friends for life, so I want to thank all of them. “Finally, I want to thank the fans who have given me their full backing since the day I arrived. Pittodrie is a special place, and I leave with lots of happy memories, particularly after the cup win last year. Getting the chance to celebrate with the supporters during the parade is something I will never forget.” Leighton has struggled for games this season under Jimmy Thelin but since the departure of the Swede, the former Liverpool man had returned to the line-up. Clarkson was heavily linked with a move to Luton Town but any deal was brushed under the carpet as Leighton pens a two-and-half-year deal at Blackpool as the Scottish Cup winner ends his three-and-a-half year spell in Scotland.

One arrives, and one departs at Pittodrie

Aberdeen secured the loan signing of Hoffenheim midfielder Dennis Geiger on loan until the end of the season with Adil Aouchiche being recalled by Sunderland. Aberdeen completed the loan signing of 27-year-old midfielder Dennis Geiger on loan from Bundesliga side, Hoffenheim with an option to buy. Aberdeen will be the first team Dennis has played for outside of Hoffenheim having played for the German side for 11 years. Geiger has made 0 appearances in the German league this campaign despite featuring on 25 occasions last campaign. The German has proven to be unlucky with injuries of late as he looks to pursue game time in Scotland and return to full fitness. Aberdeen fought off many competitors with one club being Ajax as the midfielder chose Scotland over the Dutch giants. In terms of players departing, Adil Aouchiche was recalled by Premier League side, Sunderland as the Frenchman completed a move to German outfit, Schalke. Adil made 16 appearances in red netting on 3 occasions since joining on loan in the summer. The former PSG man made his dons debut in the 2-0 defeat in the league opener at Tynecastle with the midfielder’s only three goals coming against Dundee with one in a 4-0 win at Pittodrie and a brace in a 3-1 win at Dens Park. Adil said: “I’d like to thank all the people working for this club, my teammates and of course the fans. This club is huge and the fans deserve happy days. They are all really important for the player and i wish Aberdeen all the best for the future.”

Celtic keen on Noah striker

Celtic are keeping tabs on FC Noah forward Nardin Mulahusejnovic but will face competition elsewhere. Celtic will have to battle it out with Austrian side, Rapid Wein for the signature of the Noah striker. The Austrian outfit have already placed a bid offering a 6 month loan with a 1.5 million euros buy option but the Armenian side are showing no interest in including any loan. The Bosnian striker who has played with multiple clubs having played for 10 clubs in the last 11 years. Nardin played his peak football last season netting 17 goals in 42 for Croatian side HSK Zrinjski Mostar. This campaign for Noah, the striker has scored 4 goals in 14 appearances. The 27-year-old has also featured for many other clubs such as Bratsvo Gracancia, Maribor, Sarajevo and Koper throughout his career. The Bosnian is still yet to play for the Bosnia National Team but has been capped on six occasions for the Bosnia U21s side. The striker helped Zrinjski Mostar to their second Bosnia Cup in two years winning it during the 2023-24 season for the Croatian side. Mulahusejnovic was on target for his sides 1-1 draw at Pittodrie against Aberdeen in the UEFA Conference League which saw his side make it to the Round Of 16 play-offs where FC Noah will meet AZ Alkmaar. Celtic have recently added to their attacking options but many Celtic fans eager to add an additional striker with the Bosnian striker potentially joining up with the hoops ahead of Monday’s deadline day.

Aberdeen bolster their options in midfield with the arrival of Afeez Aremu

Aberdeen have today completed the deal for Kaiserslautern midfielder, Afeez Aremu as the Nigerian becomes Aberdeen’s fifth January signing joining on a deal until 2028. The 26-year-old began his career at Nigerian side, Sunshine Stars where he made 15 appearances scoring twice before completing a move to Nigerian outfit, Rivers United where Afeez made 13 appearances with 1 goal. A year on, the midfielder made the move to Nigerian Premier League side, Akwa United making just 9 appearances with 0 goals. Akeef then decided to make a move to Norway to join IK Start making 60 appearances with 4 goals and 1 assist in the process. After a 2-year stint in Norway, the Nigerian made the switch to Germany to join St Pauli where he became a regular starter, racking up 54 appearances for the Bundesliga side where he spent three years before joining fellow German side FC Kaiserslautern featuring 28 times for the Bundesliga 2 side where the midfielder failed to grab any goal or assist in his three-year spell. Aremu has featured on three occasions for Nigeria U20s with 1 appearance for the Nigerian National Team. The fee is reportedly believed to be 250K with the Dons set to lose fellow midfielder Dante Polvara in the coming days.    

Aberdeen to Japan, to Aberdeen to Osaka

Aberdeen flop Kusini Yengi has finalised a move to Japan to join Cerezo Osaka on loan after a disappointing spell in Scotland. The Australian striker had many other options but has opted to open up a new chapter in Japan with Cerezo Osaka and Australian boss, Arthur Papas looking to join up with Yengi with the pair knowing each other from their A-League days. Yengi joined Aberdeen from EFL side, Portsmouth in the summer and has failed to make any impact in the Granite City with the striker now being far down the pecking order at Pittodrie. Yengi is hopeful of getting a spot on the plane with Australia to the 2026 World Cup in America as he searches for some much needed game time. The former Portsmouth man has only scored once for the Dons’ since joining from England with the only goal coming in the Scottish League Cup in a 3-0 away win at Greenock Morton. Kusini hasn’t featured for Aberdeen since the 11th of December after coming off the bench in a 1-0 defeat to French outfit, Strasbourg. The Aussie forward was last on the team sheet on the 18th of December but didn’t feature in a 3-0 defeat at Sparta Prague. The last full start for Yengi was when in August in that 3-0 win in Greenock. Despite his form at Aberdeen, he has netted on six occasions for the Australian National Team in eight outings so far this season. Yengi started off at Adelaide United in Australia where spent 3 years at but failing to get going ahead of a switch to Western Sydney Wanderers where he featured 19 times scoring just four goals. Yengi then moved to English League One side, Portsmouth netting 13 times in 31 helping Portsmouth get to the Championship but no goals in 14 as the striker struggled in the Championship. A move to Pittodrie was up next but hasn’t been able to get the Aberdeen support excited with just 1 goal in 10 outings as he aims for vital game in in Japan.  

Stranraer kicked out of the Scottish Cup

Stranraer have this evening been kicked out of the year’s Scottish Cup after fielding an ineligible player in their penalty shootout win over Queens Park meaning Queens Park will now face Rangers. Stranraer defeated the Championship side on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Stair Park in their second attempt following the original date being postponed following a waterlogged pitch. A hearing took place following the situation with the League Two side and after conclusion, the SFA confirmed Stranraer were to be dismissed in the seasons competition giving the Spiders’ a lifeline. 17-year-old keeper Lyndon Tas was the player at fault with the Hearts teenager being unregistered ahead of their Scottish Cup showdown. Tas was the man of the moment as he saved a vital penalty from Carlo Pignatiello to advance the hosts into the fifth round. Stranraer signed up the young keeper as Hamilton keeper Josh Lane was recalled days before but as the rule states, when a match is either postponed or abandoned which is being played or replayed, only those who were eligible on the original date can be listed. Lane was the keeper eligible on the date meaning the Hearts academy man wouldn’t have been eligible which meant Stranraer cup run was over with Queens Park being given a second chance and Stranraer have been denied a dream tie at Ibrox. Queens Park will now travel to Ibrox on the 8th of February in the Scottish Cup. Rangers fans won’t want reminded of what happened this round last season as Queens Park stunned the Ibrox crowd with a 1-0 win thanks to Seb Drozd. Rangers will be out for revenge but can the spiders do a repeat this year?

Gassama and Chermiti held onto as Rangers look to push for the title

Rangers have rejected two bids worth to be a total of £23 million for recent summer signings Djeidi Gassama and Youssef Chermiti. Rangers have made it clear that both Djeidi Gassama and Youssef Chermiti are not up for sale this January, as they look to outrun Hearts and Celtic to the title come May. Chermiti, who was purchased for £8 million by ex-Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell, was potentially on his way to Turkey as giants Fenerbahçe laid down a deal worth to be worth £13 million for the Portuguese striker. The Gers striker has struggled at times so far this season, and with lots of criticism from support earlier on in the season, it looked like it may be a no brainer to accept the deal placed by Fenerbahçe. But with two goals at Celtic Park recently, he looks to have gained some sort of confidence and has made himself Danny Rohl’s first choice number nine. For Djeidi Gassama, he came to Scotland in a deal worth around £2.5 million and with relatively high expectations from a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side. With a great start in Champions League Qualifiers, achieving four goals in six games, the Frenchman’s domestic stats haven’t been as pleasing to the eye. Five goal contributions in 23 games in the league and with many inconsistent performances, some Rangers supporters would have taken the £10 million deal from Monaco in a heartbeat. However, on his day with confidence, Gassama can be a very exciting player to watch, and with Rangers on a roll at the moment, would it have resulted in being a bad decision to get rid of him? That’s not the only speculation in the last 24 hours, recent reports suggest Emmanuel Fernandez is being watched by top scouts across Europe, both Bayern Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund scouts are keeping a close eye on the 6’4 defender who has been progressing game after game for Rangers. It shows how deep Rangers are in this title race, and with Rohl adamant on keeping his difference making players, can Rangers go on to win this thrilling title race?

Arsenal vs Man United – Match Preview 

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday where they will face Michael Carrick’s Manchester United.  The last meeting between these sides ended 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford. Italian defender Calafiori got the goal. The Emirates has not been a happy hunting ground in the league for Manchester United, with their last league win against The Gunners coming back in December 2017. Antonio Valencia scored and Jesse Lingard scored a brace. Arsenal come into this fixture off the back of a 3-1 win against Serie A leaders Inter Milan. Jesus scored a brace and Gyökeres scored late on to put the win beyond doubt. In their last Premier League outing, Mikel Arteta’s side drew 0-0 against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground. Despite dropping points, Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the table to 7 points, following Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford and Aston Villa’s 1-0 defeat at home to Everton. In continuation, since their last defeat, Arsenal have gone on an unbeaten run of 12 games, winning 9 and drawing 3, with 1 of those draws coming against Crystal Palace in the League Cup, where they won on penalties. Manchester United come into this fixture off the back of a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in the Manchester Derby. Mbuemo and Dorgu got the goals. The Red Devils now sit in 5th place, 1 point below rivals Liverpool in 4th. Arsenal have been handed a boost going into Sunday’s clash in N5. Defenders Calafiori and Hincapie have returned to full training with the first-team squad, which means Mikel Arteta has a fully fit squad at his disposal for the first time this season. Earlier in the week, Manchester United confirmed that veteran midfielder Casemiro will depart in the summer. The Brazilian joined The Red Devils in 2022/23, and has so far featured in 146 games, scoring 21 goals. Mikel Arteta ahead of Sunday: “Well, obviously, Michael coming in will bring new ideas. Always, the intensity rises up. You could see that in the Manchester derby, the kind of behaviours and the game that they played, so we will expect a really tough match and we’ll adapt to that for sure. But we are at home and we know how important that game is for us. You guys sell it so well, especially in Spain, because you could see the tension and the rivalry and those individual battles that were there as well that make the game really, really special. So, obviously, two massive clubs that have been fighting at the highest level for so many years and we want to try to have the best possible game to win it.” Michael Carrick on Arsenal: “We have got our ideas on what needs to be done and how we need to get there. Credit to Arsenal, they are in a really strong place for building a squad and recruitment. Mikel takes credit for that, he has done a fantastic job. We have our own ideas on what we need to do and what it is going to take get there and that is what we are working towards. “I am looking forward to the game. It’s a big challenge. They are a very good team. It is pretty obvious to say that, they have so many strong points to their game. It is a big challenge. They are where they are for a reason in the Champions League, we are fully aware of that and not taking that lightly at all. We feel we are in a good place and we go there looking forward to the game. It is where we want to be, we want to be positive with that energy and enthusiasm but we know it is not going to be easy.”

Aberdeen sign Olusanya on loan from MLS side Houston Dynamo

Aberdeen have captured the loan signing of former St Mirren star, Toyosi Olusanya on loan until the end of the season Olusanya has made the move back to Scotland following time in America in Houston. Olusanya will boost the Aberdeen attacking options as the Pittodrie side have struggled in the final third this campaign. The English striker began his youth days at Reading before making the move into the Middlesbrough academy. AFC Wimbledon then snapped up the striker on loan but Toyosi failed to make an impact in London where he made the switch to non-league Billericay Town for a second loan spell scoring just once in eight game in the Covid season. The striker then made the move to Paisley joining St Mirren where the 28-year-old got off to a slow start for the Buddies. A move to Arbroath on loan came along struggling to make any impact at Gayfield. Upon his return to St Mirren, that’s where the Englishman kicked on scoring 7 in 42 games being a key player in Paisley. The following season, Olusanya netted 12 times in 38 games in which he made a big move to the MLS joining Houston Dynamo but has failed to find the net in 11 appearances. Toyosi spent the first half of this campaign on loan to English League One side, Doncaster Rovers featuring 11 times but leaving with 0 goals to his name. Olusanya has proven to enjoy a goal against Aberdeen during his days in Paisley netting on 4 occasions in 5 games against the Pittodrie side.

Jesper Karlsson has his loan cut short at Pittodrie

Jesper Karlsson who joined on loan from Bologna has departed Scotland following the departure of Jimmy Thelin Jesper Karlsson joined Aberdeen in the summer on loan from Italian side, Bologna and to play under his former boss Jimmy Thelin once again. Karlsson came in with big expectations with once being linked with a big money move to Manchester United a few years ago. Jesper joined the Italian side from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar for £10million but has failed to get going in Italy. The signing was made on the last day of the summer window as the Swede looked to be an impressive signing but has failed to live up to what was hyped. The winger is currently the Dons top goal scorer with 6 goals to his name in 26 appearances but his season long loan looks to be cut short with the Swedish International set to join Dutch outfit Utrecht on loan for the remainder of the season. Karlsson didn’t feature for Bologna this campaign meaning a move to the Netherlands would be allowed according to reports in Sweden. Ex-Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin believed many of the players had issues with their egos as he said in his final interview as Aberdeen boss following a 1-0 defeat at Falkirk stating the players must “drop egos” with Karlsson being one of the players who seemed to have an ego issue with many fans also suggesting his ego was too high at Pittodrie.