Aberdeen FC in left field Middle East trip as Alan Burrows leads Dons delegation on fact finding mission

It may not be the big money takeover that fans in England now associate with the Middle East, but Aberdeen have been on a fact finding mission to Dubai in order to establish some links.

A Dons delegation, led by chief executive Alan Burrows, jetted out to the United Arab Emirates on a fact finding mission, where they linked up with chiefs from Al Nasr - no, not that one - who are the oldest club in the Gulf State. They toured the Al Maktoum Stadium and were hosted by Al Nast top dog, CEO Tawfiq Al-Zahrouni.

It's certainly a different experience to the one Barry Robson and the Pittodrie squad are having. They are in a snowbound Helsinki for their penultimate Europa Conference League group stage encounter with HJK. Neither side can make it to the knock out stage, so Burrows and his colleagues have taken the opportunity to do some warm weather networking.

He posted on social media: "It was an honour to be invited by Tawfiq Al-Zahrouni, CEO of Al Nasr to the fantastic Al Maktoum Stadium, not only to see the facilities, but learn so much about Dubai's first and oldest football club.

"It's clear there is a lot both clubs can learn from each other and benefit each other in the spirit of cooperation and respect."