Celtic’s captain, Scott Brown, will join Aberdeen in a player-coach role this summer. The Dons confirmed the 35-year-old had agreed a pre-contract deal.
Brown will link up with Stephen Glass, the newly appointed manager, with whom he played at Hibernian. The decision will bring down the curtain on a hugely successful 14-year spell at Celtic.
Brown told Celtic’s website: “It is a huge decision to leave this magnificent club, which has been such a massive part of my life for so long, but this is a new opportunity for me and a new chapter. Celtic will never leave me and the club will forever be in my heart. We still have work to do this season and that will, of course, as ever be my full focus as we try to bring our fans more success.”
Quoted on the Aberdeen website, Brown said: “There is no doubt I had a lot to deliberate when deciding my next steps, particularly after enjoying 14 successful years at Celtic. However, the opportunity to join Aberdeen, a club entering an exciting new period with my former teammate Stephen now at the helm, was one I couldn’t pass up.
“I still feel I have got a lot to give, not only on the pitch, but in a broader capacity as I embark on my coaching journey. I will be relentless in my quest for success for Aberdeen.”
Glass spoke of the importance of bringing in an on-field leader when appointed on Monday. “The opportunity to bring a player of Scott’s calibre, a leader who has more European appearances for Celtic than any other player, is a huge coup for me and for Aberdeen,” he said.
“His experience will be invaluable on the pitch and he is someone who will help set the standards we expect at this club. A born competitor, with a strong appetite to win, his hands-on approach and desire to nurture will hugely benefit the development of the young, emerging talent we have here.”