Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson announced last night he will retire from football at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old has made more than 400 appearances for the Dons during two spells with the club.
Anderson has not played for the first team since sustaining a knee injury in August and announced his decision to hang up his boots at the end of the season at the club’s end of season awards at the AECC last night.
The Aberdonian said it was “a huge wrench” to end his playing career but felt the time was right to make the change.
He said: “I have loved my time at Aberdeen. We have had some good times and some not so good times but I have enjoyed every minute. Being part of the team that won the League Cup last season was very special.
“I have been struggling with injuries and, if I am being honest, I had a discussion with the manager around December when I was probably at my lowest point in terms of my rehab.
“There was an awful lot going on behind the scenes with my rehab and it wasn’t progressing the way we had been expecting it to.
“I have had time to think about the decision and the longer the season went on I decided the right decision was to call it a day.”
However, Anderson, who has been playing for the under-20 side on his comeback from injury, still hopes he can make one more appearance for the first team before the season ends, although he does not expect to feature against champions Celtic on Sunday.
The 11-times capped Scotland international said: “I hope to play before the end of season but first and foremost the game on Sunday is really important to everyone involved in the club.
“The manager will want to put out his strongest team and I have to say at the moment I don’t think I am part of that. But hopefully between now and the end of the season I do get some time on the pitch.”
Anderson will, however, not be leaving Pittodrie and has been offered a full time role to work behind the scenes.
He said: “The new role will encompass a lot of things and I am very excited about it. It is going to be a learning curve for me but I know what is going to be expected. While nothing will ever beat playing, the fact I’m being given the opportunity to remain with the Dons is the next best thing and I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of my career.”