Aberdeen captain Scott Brown has confirmed he is leaving the club and will stop playing with immediate effect.
As revealed by Record Sport the Celtic legend was concerned by a lack of coaching opportunities under new manager Jim Goodwin.
The former Scotland international had initially signed up for a player-coach role under Stephen Glass but the new boss is looking to go in a different direction with his backroom team.
And after just 24 league games for Aberdeen Brown has decided to call his playing career to an end.
A statement from Brown thanked the club and Stephen Glass for bringing him to the north east but, perhaps, pointedly there was mention of his successor.
He said: "I would like to take this opportunity to firstly thank the board at Aberdeen and, of course, Stephen Glass and his backroom staff, for giving me the opportunity to enjoy my first taste of coaching.
“I’d also like to thank all my team-mates and the great staff both at Cormack Park and Pittodrie.
“I know I was only in the North-east for a short period, but the fans made me feel welcome from day one, so my thanks must also go to them for showing me so much support.
“Aberdeen is a huge club and I know there is a real determination from all to deliver success both on and off the pitch. I wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.”".
Brown came through the Hibs youth system, initially as a right-winger, and was part of the side which won the League Cup in 2007.
His Easter Road exploits saw Celtic shell out a Scottish record £4.4million to sign him in 2007 and Brown would go on to enormous success in Glasgow.
Across more than 600 appearances he lifted 10 league titles, six Scottish Cups and six League Cups, and was named the SWFA Player of the Year in 2018.
Brown also made 55 appearances for his country, captaining Scotland from 2014 to 2017.
Between club and international football he made 842 senior appearances, scoring 72 goals and winning 23 trophies.
