Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has urged Scott Vernon to go on and establish himself at another club after releasing him from Pittodrie.
The forward’s four-year spell with the Dons was brought to an end yesterday as he joined attacker Josh Magennis and Nicky Weaver in leaving the club.
Club captain Russell Anderson and midfielders Barry Robson and Nicky Low, however, have signed new one-year deals.
In a day of major changes at Pittodrie under-20 coach Neil Cooper was also dismissed as McInnes looks to bring in a new coach for next season.
McInnes was grateful for the trio’s efforts but insists it was in both parties’ interests for the player to move on.
He said: “Scott has served the club well and I think he felt he hadn’t played as much as he wanted to this season. I’ve no doubt he will go on and establish himself in another team.
“He’s a popular lad among the staff and players and he more than played his part for me. Unfortunately for him it probably wasn’t enough and we move on.
“We were keen to see how Josh did at St Mirren and it hasn’t gone as well as he expected in terms of game time which is disappointing as we wanted to be in a better position to judge him.
“He has to make a start in his career and go and be a regular for someone.
“He’s been a great lad to have about the club but he has been restricted to appearances from the bench here and that’s why we feel it’s best we part company.
“Nicky hasn’t played the part he would have liked but he has been a big factor in Jamie Langfield’s performances this season.
“He is someone I would recommend to anyone and a goalkeeper who never really got a chance to get a good run of games here. There will be a big void in terms of what he brings to training and off the pitch and we wish him well.”
McInnes also praised club servant Cooper for his years of service to the Dons.
He said: “I’d like to put on record my thanks to Neil for his efforts and contribution but we feel a change in that department is best.
“Some decisions are harder than others and when someone has been associated with the club as long as Neil has it makes it harder but we feel it is the right decision.”