Aberdeen fans have grown accustomed to drama during transfer windows, but this January promises a particularly intriguing flurry of activity at Pittodrie. With the club’s defensive ranks stretched thin by injuries and a handful of contracts set to expire, manager Jimmy Thelin has pulled back the curtain on his plans to reshape the squad in the coming weeks. As the winter window swings open on January 1, 2026, Thelin and his backroom team are preparing for both arrivals and departures, all while nurturing the next generation of Dons talent.
It’s no secret that Aberdeen’s defense has been hit hard. Kristers Tobers, a reliable presence at the back, is sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-2026 campaign. Gavin Molloy is also missing, leaving Thelin with just three senior central defenders: Nicky Devlin, Jack Milne, and Mats Knoester. The situation is further complicated by the possibility that Tottenham Hotspur could recall Alfie Dorrington, who has been a valuable loan addition. Thelin didn’t mince words about the challenge, admitting, “We don’t have many options. That's also how they have managed this pressure, the players, to play so many games in such a short time and space.”
With the squad stretched thin, a new central defender tops Aberdeen’s January wishlist. Thelin has promised reinforcements and acknowledged that squad balancing is a must. “In January, for sure there are going to be movements in and out,” he said. “We will see when January is over, what has happened. So let's see how we balance the squad after January.”
But Thelin’s approach is anything but reckless. The club’s recruitment operation has been strengthened significantly, with the arrival of sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel and the return of transfer guru Darren Mowbray. Pfannenstiel, known for his extensive global network, is overseeing all football and performance matters, while Mowbray—who previously unearthed talents like Bojan Miovski and Ylber Ramadani—returns to his old stomping ground to help identify the next wave of signings. Head of recruitment Nuno de Almeida completes the trio tasked with reshaping the squad.
Thelin has emphasized that the recruitment drive will be measured, not a wholesale overhaul. “Inside the club we have recruitment team and a sporting director and we are all aligned in what we want to do,” Thelin explained. “We don’t want to do too much as every window is about helping the team grow. Sometimes it is with the players you have and sometimes you have to add some qualities which are missing inside the squad. We want to add something, but not too much.”
While new faces are expected, there will also be exits. Midfielder Sivert Heltne Nilsen, who has 18 months left on his contract, is reportedly on the radar of Norwegian side Asane as they seek promotion to the top flight. Leighton Clarkson and Kusini Yengi, both struggling for regular minutes, are also open to January moves. Clarkson, a former Liverpool midfielder, has started only four of Aberdeen’s 27 games this season—a sharp contrast to his previous status as a first-team regular. Yengi, the Australian striker who played a pivotal role in his country’s World Cup qualification, last started in a 1-0 defeat to Falkirk on August 31 and is eager for more game time ahead of the finals.
Contract situations are also front and center. Captain Graeme Shinnie and Dante Polvara are both out of contract in the summer of 2026. Shinnie, a crucial leader on and off the pitch, is hoping for a new deal. Thelin, however, has kept his cards close to his chest: “Again, as I said, I'm always in the window. If we're going to say something, we have something to say, but he's a really good captain for this club.” It’s clear that negotiations are ongoing, and fans will be watching closely as the window progresses.
On the incoming side, there’s a sense of anticipation around Vicente Besuijen, who is back training with the team after a loan stint at HJK. The Dutch attacker won’t be eligible to play until the window officially opens, but Thelin is pleased with his condition and attitude. “He is training. He has taken care of himself. He is prepared for when the window opens. He can’t play until the window opens again. He is in a good shape and he has brought a good energy to the team in a positive way.”
Amid the transfer hustle, Thelin remains committed to developing homegrown talent. The emergence of Dylan Lobban, a 20-year-old academy graduate now a regular starter, has been a bright spot. Jack Milne, another youth product, has established himself as a key figure in defense. Winger Kenan Bilalovic, just 20, has made a splash with goals in back-to-back Premiership matches—a 3-1 loss at Celtic and a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock. Signed from IFK Varnamo for £550,000 in the summer, Bilalovic’s five-year deal looks like a shrewd investment. Teenager Kjartan Mar Kjartansson, a 19-year-old Iceland U21 international, has also made waves, setting up Bilalovic’s goal against Celtic on his first-team debut after joining from Stjarnan for a six-figure sum.
Thelin is quick to highlight the importance of attitude in youth development. “It is important as a young player breaking through to stay on the pitch and the only way to do that is by work on the training pitch,” he said. “We will support and help the young players, but the journey is their own. They have to do the job, which is why you have to have this inner fire in your chest to go out there. As a young player you also have to be stable, to push to improve yourself and grow, and I am happy when they take on that responsibility.”
With so much in flux, January is shaping up to be a pivotal month for Aberdeen. The club’s hierarchy is backing Thelin’s vision, but the pressure is on to deliver results—both in terms of shoring up the defense and maintaining the pipeline of young talent. The balance between experience and youth, stability and ambition, will define the Dons’ trajectory for the rest of the season and beyond.
As the transfer window countdown continues, supporters can expect a blend of new arrivals, potential departures, and a continued commitment to giving academy stars their shot. The only certainty is that Pittodrie won’t be short on talking points this winter. With Thelin steering the ship and a strengthened recruitment team in place, Aberdeen’s next chapter is about to unfold—one calculated move at a time.