Marley Watkins leads quartet of Aberdeen departures in delayed Dons released list

Aberdeen have released Marley Watkins, Connor McLennan, Dean Campbell and Matty Kennedy.

The quartet join youngsters Mason Hancock, Timi Fatona and Blessing Oluyemi in leaving the club on freedom of contract. The Dons have also confirmed that first-team coach Liam Fox has turned down a contract extension and is leaving to be closer to his family in the central belt.

Liam Scales, Mattie Pollock, Graeme Shinnie, Leighton Clarkson, Hayden Coulson, Jay Gorter, Dilan Markanday and Patrik Myslovic have also returned to their parent clubs after recent loans. Barry Robson said: “I’d like to thank every player who is leaving for their efforts during their time at the club.

“They leave us with our best wishes for the future. We are still having positive discussions with some of the loan players who are departing about the possibility of returning for next season. We’ll see how those progress over the next few weeks.”

Aberdeen remain in talks to sign Shinnie from Wigan and Clarkson on a permanent basis from Liverpool. The Dons have also confirmed first-team coach Liam Fox has decided to move on for family reasons.

The former Dundee United boss has declined a new contract to remain closer to his family in the central belt. Robson will now begin the process of looking to add to his coaching team.