Chris Forrester’s arrival this week will be the first of several new faces for Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes as he looks to once again remain best-of-the rest in the Scottish Premiership.
The nuts and bolts of the squad that has been so consistent over the last four seasons is still in place.
Scott McKenna’s rapid development last season, from fringe player to Scotland captain, addressed the need for a new centre-half and there is hope something similar can happen again this year.
Mikey Devlin was brought in during the January window while still rehabbing a serious knee injury.
He did not feature at all in the second half of the season but the former Hamilton Accies skipper is viewed as a natural partner to McKenna in the centre of the defence.
Ex-Dons and Scotland boss Craig Brown is a big fan of Devlin and with three years remaining on his contract at Pittodrie, it is clear he will be given time to recover properly from his injuries and establish himself as a regular.
They are probably a couple of defenders light with another full-back and centre-half required.
Following Kari Arnason’s display in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Motherwell it was no surprise to see him released while Anthony O’Connor clearly saw his future elsewhere.
Getting Jason Naismith from Ross County would be a brilliant signing given his standout displays in a struggling side, although given the Staggies rightly want a fee and the Dons have just paid an undisclosed sum for Forrester, England might be a more likely destination for him.
Another County player, Marcus Fraser, who is out of contract and can play adeptly in the centre or on the right, would be a very good alternative.
Forrester looks to be the man to fill the gap left by Kenny McLean’s departure, which was the most critical position needing filling.
McLean was instrumental in so many Aberdeen performances last season and his loss was massive in some key games, particularly in the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Motherwell.
Greg Tansey returns from his loan at Ross County but looks to be on the way out, which is a shame as the energetic midfielder has a wide range of passing and a penchant for long-range shots.
Young midfielders Frank Ross and Dean Campbell will also be given some opportunities to show they can handle the first team.
Further forward, Ryan Christie returning to Celtic leaves a creative vacuum in the final third which will need addressed.
If McInnes could tempt someone like Scott Allan, who impressed hugely at Hibernian, to join, it would be a major coup.
The striker position is a strange one. Adam Rooney routinely ends up the club’s top scorer but still finds himself struggling to get a regular spot in the side.
Stevie May looked shorn of confidence at times last season and the hope will be that a summer off, and a full injury-free pre-season, can help him rediscover some form.
Sam Cosgrove came on to a game towards the end of the last campaign and was rewarded with several starts by McInnes.
His physical attributes are never in doubt but so far, and not just in his brief Dons career, he has lacked a killer touch in front of goal.
The task of keeping hold of second spot is only going to get harder but the building blocks are definitely there for another successful campaign for the Dons.