'Outstanding leader' Shinnie to leave Aberdeen

'Outstanding leader' Shinnie to leave AberdeenImage source, SNSImage caption, Graeme Shinnie won the 2025 Scottish Cup with AberdeenByThomas DuncanBBC Sport ScotlandPublished6 minutes agoAberdeen's Scottish Cup-winning captain Graeme Shinnie is to leave the club next month when his contract expires.The 34-year-old has played 344 times over two spells for his hometown team, with last season's triumph over Celtic at Hampden making him the first Aberdeen captain for 35 years to win the Scottish Cup.The club say Shinnie was offered a two-year contract extension which also included a pathway into coaching. However, the midfielder has chosen to move on to continue playing more regularly.Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson described Shinnie as an "outstanding leader"."His dedication, work rate and influence within the dressing room have been invaluable and he has captained this club with distinction," Robinson added."We understand his desire to continue playing regularly, something I could not guarantee going into next season."It goes without saying that he leaves here with our sincerest thanks, admiration and very best wishes for the future."Shinnie first joined Aberdeen in 2015 after leaving Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he also lifted the Scottish Cup as captain.A succesful spell working with Derek McInnes followed which included several finals and top-three league finishes, before he departed for Derby County in 2019.Shinnie returned to Pittodrie in 2023 and has been a pivotal figure for three-and-a-half years and the club say he leaves a "true Dons legend".He is 20th on the club's all-time appearance list and also made 32 appearances in European competition, which is the 12th-most in the club's history.Related topicsFootballScottish PremiershipScottish FootballAberdeenMore on this storyVisit our Aberdeen page for all the latest news, analysis and fan viewsGet Aberdeen news notifications in...