Aberdeen confirm Dan Happe signing as centre-back reveals how ‘very persuasive’ Stephen Robinson convinced him to join Dons

Dan Happe says “positive and enthusiastic” Stephen Robinson convinced him to leave boyhood club Leyton Orient for Aberdeen.

The towering 27-year-old centre-back, who, according to the Dons stands 6ft 6in tall, is out of contract with Orient.

Though he had been offered a new deal at Brisbane Road, he has instead agreed a free agent switch to Aberdeen on a two-year deal, with the option for a third season.

He is Aberdeen’s fourth confirmed summer signing – with midfielder Connor Ronan also set to arrive from MLS side Colorado Rapids when the transfer window officially opens on June 15.

Happe, who can play both sides, will provide left-footed centre-back competition to Mats Knoester and Gavin Molloy at Aberdeen.

Knoester is set to miss a significant part of pre-season after damaging his kneecap in the final Premiership game of the campaign at Dundee.

Aberdeen have already announced the arrival of a right-footed centre-back ahead of next term, with free agent Lewis Mayo secured from top-flight rivals Kilmarnock.

The Dons – whose season starts away in the Premier Sports Cup at Brora Rangers on Tuesday, July 14 – have also landed midfielders Brad Lyons, another free agent from Killie, and out-of-contract Austrian Alexander Briedl to bolster their squad.

Explaining why he decided to join Aberdeen, defender Happe – who has been with Orient since he was 14 and helped his boyhood club climb back up the English league system – said: “Having spent my entire career at one club, it was a big decision to move on, but I just felt it was the right time to try something new, and this was an opportunity I could not turn down.

“I want to thank everyone at Leyton Orient for the help and support they have given me, especially the fans, but I am now ready for a new chapter in my football career.

“I am excited for a fresh start and to try a new environment.

“After speaking to the manager, he was so positive and enthusiastic about the club and what he wants to achieve here. He was very persuasive!”

‘I want to help the team get back into Europe and win trophies’ – Happe

Happe is understood to have had other suitors, both north and south of the border, but is targeting Europe and trophies under Robinson at Aberdeen – whose squad is being rebuilt after he steered the Dons clear of relegation danger in the closing months of the campaign.

“I had other options, interest from teams in England, but after the call with him (Robinson) I was in no doubt this was the move for me,” Happe added.

“I know last season was not what anyone at Aberdeen would have wanted. It was disappointing, but I am confident better times lie ahead with the squad the manager is building.

“I want to help the team get back into Europe and help the team win trophies.

“I can promise the Aberdeen supporters I am a player who will give everything for the team every time I walk on to the pitch. I’m really looking forward to settling into life in Aberdeen, meeting my new teammates in a couple of weeks’ time and of course, the fans.”

Happe has played more than 250 league matches for Leyton Orient.

The centre-half has been a key part of the O’s rise up the English football pyramid after demotion to the National League in the summer of 2017.

Happe was part of the Orient side who made it back up to League Two in 2019, then League One in 2023.

He came on as a substitute when they lost in the 2025 League One play-off final to Charlton Athletic to narrowly miss out on promotion to the Championship.

The big defender – who was linked to returning Premier League side Sunderland last summer – has spent time on the sidelines with injury for spells during his Orient career.

Robinson: Happe is ‘dominant in the air’

Aberdeen head coach Robinson feels Happe’s arrival adds much-needed size and aerial presence at the back for the Dons.

He said: “Dan is a leader who given his stature is clearly dominant in the air, something which we have missed.

“Given his experience, we think he can have an immediate impact while also contributing to our longer-term vision for the club.

“He’s exactly the right type of character and brings the attributes we’re looking for.”

[Source: Press and Journal]