Aberdeen captain Anthony Stewart and winger Vicente Besuijen departed the Dons on a busy deadline day at Pittodrie.
There were also three new arrivals with Ajax goalkeeper Jay Gorter, Swindon defender Angus MacDonald and Blackburn Rovers attacker Dilan Markanday joining the Dons ahead of this evening’s visit of St Mirren.
But Dons interim boss Barry Robson, placed in charge of the team following the departure of Jim Goodwin on Saturday, will have to name a new captain for the game after Stewart joined English League One side MK Dons on loan until the end of the season.
Stewart has endured a difficult period at the Dons and was sent off twice in his previous six appearances, including a red card in the League Cup semi-final defeat against Rangers at Hampden.
He joined the Dons in July on a two-year deal but will spend the rest of the season at MK Dons who sit 20th in the English League One table.
Stewart told the MK Dons website: “I’m delighted to be here and I am looking forward to the opportunity to showcase my ability and most importantly get the club to where they want to be.
“Having had played against the Dons in the past, it was an exciting opportunity that I couldn’t miss. I am aware of the situation of the club and I look forward to bringing my experiences to the squad and help them climb back up the table to where they belong.
“When I heard about interest from my agent, it was something I had to reflect on and take into consideration.
“MK Dons is a big club, with lots of potential and growth, and I look forward to meeting my teammates, the management and more importantly, the fans.”
Besuijen returns to the Netherlands
Winger Besuijen has joined Excelsior Rotterdam for the remainder of the season, with the Eredivisie side retaining the option to acquire the player on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
The 21-year-old joined the Dons in January 2022 and has made 42 appearances.
Besuijen said: “I spoke with the club and Excelsior’s playing style and the club’s story really appealed to me.
“Moreover, I know quite a few guys who already play here and that is also an important reason for me to make this choice.
“My feeling is that I fit in well with this team. As a result, I think I can quickly adapt myself to help the team maintain us at the highest level.”
New arrivals could face St Mirren
Gorter, MacDonald and Markanday could be involved in this evening’s Premiership match against the Buddies.
The Dons beat the deadline to sign 21-year-old Markanday on loan until the end of the season.
The attacker, who moved to Blackburn from Tottenham last term, has made six appearances for the Ewood Park side this season.
Markanday’s only senior appearance for Spurs was in a Europa Conference League clash against Vitesse in October 2021.
Gorter, who has joined on loan until the end of the season, moved to Ajax from Go Ahead Eagles on a four-year deal in the summer of 2021.
The 22-year-old’s only start for Ajax this season was in a 5-3 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the Johan Cruyff Shield.
Leadership will be ‘invaluable’
MacDonald, 30, has joined the Dons on a short-term deal until the end of the season after leaving Swindon.
The former Hull City and Rotherham United defender was named captain upon joining the Robins in July last year but has left the English League Two side after making only 16 appearances.
Interim Aberdeen manager Barry Robson said: “Angus has played an abundance of games at a high level down south and brings with him a wealth of experience which I think will be hugely beneficial to us in the second part of the season.
“He’s been captain at many of his clubs and I’ve no doubt his leadership will be invaluable.”
MacDonald, who recovered after being diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 26, is relishing the move to Scotland. He said: “When I got the call I was dead excited and wanted to get on the flight as soon as possible.
“It’s such a big club. To take the other options would have been stupid of me and I would’ve regretted it.
“It’s got so much history, the fanbase, the training ground, the facilities – everything about it excited me.”
Earlier in the January window, the Dons signed Graeme Shinnie and Patrik Myslovic on loan from Wigan and Zilina respectively, while defender Mattie Pollock joined from Watford on loan on Sunday.
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