Former Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson is set for a whole new ball game after cutting his ties with football for a new career as a financial adviser.
The 38-year-old will end his 23 years in the game on Friday when he works his final day at the Dons before moving to property, legal and financial services company Aberdein Considine.
The defender, who has worked as a business development executive at Pittodrie since retiring in 2015, believes it is time for a change.
He said: “Football has been a huge part of my life and it does seem funny to be leaving the game for a new job, but I’m excited by the new challenge.
“I’ve been working my notice at Pittodrie for a while and I finish on Friday before starting my new job on Monday.
“The last five and a half years of my second spell at the club has flown by as has my role upstairs at the club. I guess I must be getting old.
“It’s a completely different role for me and that’s what makes it so appealing.
“I’ve worked in football for 23 years and it feels right to try something new.”
Anderson, who captained the Dons to League Cup victory in 2014, has been planning for 17 years for this moment and when the chance to put his financial qualification to use came his way, he knew it was an opportunity he could not turn down.
He said: “My knee injury at 21 was a defining moment.
“Unless you are lucky enough to play at the very top level of the game and have no concerns financially after retirement, you need to have a second career.
“At the time my injury was a serious one and it dawned on me then that I should make a plan for my future.
“Maybe I was lucky it happened early in my career as it gave me the time to study for my qualification as a financial adviser.
“I was lucky in that I was able to make a full recovery and play well into my 30s, but when I came back to the club I knew the clock was ticking on my playing career.
“That’s why I did some work with Aberdein Considine when I had a day or a half day off from the club.
“I did that for a couple of years and it was hugely beneficial to put what I had learned into practice rather than working from a textbook. That makes this transition easier as I know the people I am going to work with.
“I said before I took on my role at Aberdeen that I always thought I would go down this route eventually and I’m excited by the new challenge. I know I would have regretted not gaining my qualification and putting it to use if I didn’t take this opportunity.”
Anderson is moving on to pastures new but he will still retain an association with the Dons.
He said: “The new job will take a bit of getting used to but I’m not severing ties with the club completely.
“I’m still an ambassador with the community trust and I am happy to support them in any way I can. If they need my help they know where I am and I’ll still be a regular visitor to Pittodrie when I have the time.
“If I’ve learned anything from football it is to never say never. I never closed the door on Aberdeen when I left for Sunderland and I was able to come back and spend another five years with the club.
“When you leave any place on good terms, as I am doing with Aberdeen, then anything is possible.
“Right now my focus is on my new job but who knows what the future holds?”