Aberdeen: Captain Graeme Sheeney is leaving the club

Sheeney’s departure comes as no surprise to Aberdeen fans, having waned his influence on the pitch in a turbulent season.

The midfielder only started half of the club’s league games as they slipped to ninth, with his all-action game becoming less effective week by week as he aged.

Robinson apparently agreed as he began his Aberdeen rebuild, extending his stay at the Sheene to regular playing time.

But the skipper will depart as a hero to every Dons fan. One of their own, he seemingly gave it his all every time he stepped on the pitch.

Seeing a local boy fly into tackles, rally teammates and sometimes single-handedly carry their team forward is not something fans are used to in the regular modern game. Shini gave that to the Red Army.

During his first spell he was part of a brilliant midfield three that also included Kenny McLean and Ryan Jack as Aberdeen became Celtic’s main rivals, losing in the final and in the league.

Subsequently, with many signings coming and going, he has become one of the few consistent presences giving the club a sense of identity.

Despite that turmoil in recent years, he got the moment he and his fellow fans dreamed of on 24 May 2025.

Sheeney will forever be remembered for saving Aberdeen’s first penalty into the top corner in the shootout win over Celtic.

That, and the celebrations that followed that long-awaited Scottish Cup win, would be his defining image at Pittodrie.