Scott Brown’s decision to leave Aberdeen looks set to bring a remarkable trophy-laden career to an end.
Brown’s decision to join the Dons as player-coach last summer may not have worked out as he had hoped following the dismissal of manager Stephen Glass last month, but the veteran looks set to follow Glass in pursuing a managerial career after announcing his retirement.
The 36-year-old is one of several veterans who have made the move to Abedeen following successful periods prior to their move to the Granite City.
Some have thrived while others have struggled. We take a look at some of those who have graced Pittodrie in the twilight of their career.
Craig Bryson
A big-name signing for the Dons in the summer of 2019, Derby County legend Bryson was hailed as the successor to departing Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie.
With a reputation of being a box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes had high hopes for his big summer signing, who has played for Scotland three times.
However, ankle injuries restricted the midfielder to just 14 appearances for the Dons and he left the Dons in September 2020 to join St Johnstone.
Kari Arnason
A cult hero from his first spell at the Dons in 2011, Icelandic international Arnason rejoined Aberdeen in the summer of 2017.
He scored three goals in 25 appearances for Aberdeen in his second spell but with playing opportunities limited in the second half of the campaign he was freed by Derek McInnes.
Russell Anderson
If Arnason was a warning you should never go back to a club then Anderson was the exception.
The Aberdonian returned to the club which gave him his break in 2012 following spells with Sunderland and Derby County and spent three seasons with the Dons before retiring in 2015.
His second spell was a memorable and historic one as Anderson, who formed an excellent central defensive partnership with Mark Reynolds, had the honour of captaining the Dons to League Cup glory against Caley Thistle at Celtic Park in 2014.
Craig Brewster
Former Caley Thistle and Dundee United boss Brewster joined the Dons in December 2006, two months after leaving United.
He scored three goals in 11 games for the Dons in a spell hampered by a dislocated shoulder and his stay at Pittodrie was a short one as Brewster was offered and accepted the chance to return to management with Caley Thistle.
Brewster is currently based in Horsham where he is head of coaching for youth development and runs his own footballing academy.
Paul Hartley
Former Celtic, Hearts, Hibs and St Johnstone midfielder Hartley was signed and appointed captain at Aberdeen on July 28, 2010.
He made an instant impression by scoring a hat-trick of penalties for the Dons on their opening day win against Hamilton.
Hartley went on to make 32 appearances for the Dons, scoring eight goals, but retired at the end of the campaign after missing the final two months of the season due to injury due to a medial knee ligament injury.
Following his retirement Hartley was named manager at Alloa and is currently in charge of League One leaders Cove Rangers.
Barry Robson
Former Caley Thistle, Dundee United and Celtic midfielder Robson joined the Dons from Sheffield United in 2013.
A winger turned central midfielder, Robson was a key member of Derek McInnes’ side in the former Aberdeen manager’s early years at Pittodrie and was one of the players to score in the penalty shoot-out win against Caley Thistle in the League Cup final in 2014.
Following his retirement in 2016 Robson took up a coaching position with Aberdeen where he remains today.
Jackie McNamara
Former Celtic defender McNamara was a Jimmy Calderwood signing in the summer of 2007 on a two-year deal but lasted less than a season after departing due to injuries and his struggle with travelling to Aberdeen from the central belt.
He made 20 appearances for the Dons, scoring one goal, with his last appearance for the club coming in the Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Queen of the South at Hampden.
Following his departure from Pittodrie McNamara joined Falkirk. Since retiring he has had spells as manager at Partick, Dundee United and York City.