Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack says up to seven new signings could arrive at Pittodrie this summer as they plan for guaranteed European football through the first half of next season. The Dons’ Scottish Cup final triumph over Celtic means they have a Europa League play-off and, should they lose, will drop into the Conference League.
The club have already signed goalkeeper Nick Suman and winger Nicolas Milanovic. “Yeah, I would think that anything between five and seven players, maybe at this stage,” Cormack told Graham Speirs’ podcast Press Box. “It’s great that with [chief executive] Alan Burrows and [director of football] Steven Gunn being there, they’re the guys that are working with the recruitment team on this. “Because obviously [there are] a number of loan players that we brought in and one or two players kind of out of contract. “So from what I’m seeing, I’m really impressed with the work the team are doing.”
Cormack also didn’t rule out a return for 20-year-old defender Alfie Dorrington, who made 16 appearances after arriving on loan from Tottenham in January. He added: “I know Spurs have been, as I understand it from Steven and Alan, delighted with his loan. “It’s the first time the boy’s been away from home in London, and he told me a number of times he’s absolutely loved being away on his own, and he looks after himself as a player as well. “So we’ll just have to wait and see on that one.” Getting balance through the squad is also key for Cormack, who reckons the club are well placed to build in their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years.
“In terms of squad planning, we’re in the best shape we’ve been since I’ve been back involved with the club almost eight years ago,” he said. “We’ve got a clear squad planning of core players through to development players model, and it’s going to take us about another 12 to 24 months to get that there, but following that strategy is important.”
