Dons midfielder Kenny McLean believes making the group stages of the Europa League must be the aim this season.
The draw for the first two qualifying rounds will be made in Nyon, Switzerland, today and the Dons will start in round one with their first game of the new campaign on June 30.
The Dons must progress through four qualifying rounds to reach the group stage and having reached the third round in each of the last two seasons McLean believes his side now has the experience required to progress further.
He said: “The group stage has to be the aim for us. We are looking forward it. There are players with European experience now and we have a good squad which will be added to.
“It is an exciting time for Aberdeen. It is a massive club and one which is back where I think it should be by playing in Europe but it is important we continue to progress and I don’t see why we can’t make the group stages when you look at the quality of the squad and size of this club.
“We need the draw to go our way but everyone is really excited at playing in Europe again.”
Former St Mirren midfielder McLean revelled in his first taste of European club football last summer, scoring three goals in five European appearances.
It has whetted the appetite for more and McLean added: “Europe was good for me last season. It was something new and different for me and it was a great experience.
“I hadn’t scored for the club since arriving in January, so to get off the mark in Europe against Rijeka in our 3-0 win was a big relief for me and it couldn’t have come at a more important time for the club.
“To come back early and get started so soon was great for me and the results which came for the team were important.
“It was great to hit the ground running and it really started my season and gave me a lot of confidence.
“I didn’t realise how tough it would be until I faced it but European football is something every player should strive to be involved in.”