The summer of 2015 brought the end of an era at Aberdeen with captain Russell Anderson hanging up his boots in favour of a commercial role behind the scenes at Pittodrie.
His retirement, however, meant an experienced replacement was needed. Ross County captain Paul Quinn was the man, while the long-term left back problem was solved by the arrival of Caley Thistle captain Graeme Shinnie.
The surprise addition was Danny Ward, a 22-year-old Wales international who arrived on loan from Liverpool. He was joined by another loan arrival from Anfield in right back Ryan McLaughlin and Red Star Belgrade attacker Josh Parker. Completing the new arrivals was Manchester City’s young attacker Joe Nuttall.
Eight players made way to accommodate the five new arrivals.
Joe Shaughnessy moved to St Johnstone on a free transfer with Nicky Low moving to Dundee. Declan McManus moved Fleetwood Town, Clark Robertson departed for Blackpool while midfielders Andrew Driver and Jamie Masson were released.
The last Pittodrie exit came in August when goalkeeper Jamie Langfield’s 11 years at the club ended.
As with the previous campaign another early start beckoned in the Europa League and the Dons matched their run of 2014, reaching the third qualifying round before losing to FC Kairat of Kazakhstan.
Lessons had been learned from the previous campaign and there would be no repeat of the sluggish start of the previous year as the Dons rattled off eight straight wins to lead the Scottish Premiership.
Exits from the cup competitions at the first hurdle to Hibernian and Hearts have blemished another solid campaign from the Dons which has fallen just short of the championship.
The David Goodwillie experiment was brought to an end in January when he joined Ross County on loan while Quinn yearned for a return to Dingwall. His wish was granted.
Ward, however, was the biggest loss to the Dons. His recall by new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp left a huge hole at Pittodrie. Scott Brown was restored to the goalkeeper position in Ward’s absence with Adam Collin replacing Ward on loan from Rotherham. Aaron Lennox, another goalkeeper, joined the development squad from QPR.
Completing the line-up of new faces was MK Dons attacker Simon Church, a loan signing. He scored the winner on his debut as the Dons beat Celtic for a second time but the Dons have fallen just short. Three consecutive away defeats in the race to the finish line have proven Aberdeen’s downfall, but they have secured second place and can beat their 75 point tally in the final two games of the campaign against Hearts and County.
Here we take a look at all of Derek McInnes’ transfer dealings as Aberdeen boss…
2015/16
Summer window: Players in
- Graeme Shinnie, defender, Caley Thistle, free. HIT
- Joe Nuttall, attacker, Manchester City, free. HIT
- Paul Quinn, defender, Ross County, free. MISS
- Danny Ward, goalkeeper, Liverpool, loan. HIT
- Josh Parker, attacker, Red Star Belgrade, loan. MISS
- Ryan McLaughlin, defender, Liverpool, loan. MISS
Players out
- Nicky Low, midfielder, Dundee, free
- Declan McManus, attacker, Fleetwood Town, free
- Joe Shaughnessy, defender, St Johnstone, free
- Clark Roberston, defender, Blackpool, free
- Andrew Driver, midfielder, De Graafschap, free
- Jamie Masson, midfielder, Formartine United, free
- Russell Anderson, defender, retired
- Jamie Langfield, goalkeeper, St Mirren, free
January window: Players in
- Aaron Lennox, goalkeeper, QPR, free. MISS
- Adam Collin, goalkeeper, Rotherham, loan. MISS
- Simon Church, attacker, MK Dons, loan. HIT
Players out
- David Goodwillie, attacker, Ross County, loan
- Paul Quinn, defender, Ross County, free
- Danny Ward, goalkeeper, recalled by Liverpool
2014/15
Summer window: Players in
- Shay Logan, defender, Brentford, free. HIT.
- Scott Brown, goalkeeper, Cheltenham Town, free. HIT
- Ash Taylor, defender, Tranmere Rovers, free. HIT
- David Goodwillie, attacker, Blackburn Rovers, free. MISS
- Jeffrey Monakana, midfielder, Brighton, loan. MISS
Summer window: Players out
- Nicky Weaver, goalkeeper, released, Academy coach at Sheffield Wednesday
- Calvin Zola, attacker, Stevenage, free
- Scott Vernon, attacker, Shrewsbury Town, free
- Josh Magennis, attacker, Kilmarnock, free
- Joe Shaughnessy, defender, Falkirk, loan
January window: Players in
- Donervorn Daniels, defender, West Brom, loan. MISS
- Kenny McLean, midfielder, St Mirren, £175,000. HIT
- Andrew Driver, midfielder, unattached, free. MISS
January window: Players out
- None
2013/14
Summer window: Players in
- Willo Flood, midfielder, Dundee United, free. HIT
- Barry Robson, midfielder, Sheffield United, free. HIT
- Calvin Zola, attacker, Burton Albion, free. MISS
- Gregg Wylde, midfielder, Bolton Wanderers, free. MISS
- Lawrence Shankland, attacker, Queen’s Park, undisclosed. HIT
- Nicky Weaver, goalkeeper, Sheffield Wednesday, free. MISS
- Michael Hector, defender, Reading, loan. HIT
Summer window: Players out
- Gavie Rae, midfielder, released, retired to Australia
- Rory Fallon, attacker, St Johnstone, free
- Mitch Megginson, attacker, Dumbarton, free
- Rob Milsom, midfielder, Rotherham, free
- Jordon Brown, midfielder, Peterhead, free
- Isaac Osbourne, midfielder, Partick, free
- Gary Naysmith, defender, East Fife, free
- Dan Twardzik, goalkeeper, Dundee, free
- Stephen Hughes, midfielder, East Fife, free
January window: Players in
- Alan Tate, defender, Swansea, loan. MISS
- Adam Rooney, attacker, Oldham Athletic, free. HIT
- Shay Logan, defender, Brentford, loan. HIT
January window: Players out
- Gregg Wylde, midfielder, St Mirren, free
- Josh Magennis, attacker, St Mirren, loan
- Chris Clark, midfielder, Cove Rangers, free
