Aberdeen’s Alfie Bavidge on how Stephen Robinson brought him contract ‘clarity’, as striker’s Dons ‘dream’ kept alive

Alfie Bavidge was fully convinced his Aberdeen first-team “dream” was over until “a really, really positive” conversation with head coach Stephen Robinson in the final weeks of last season.

The Dons have announced 20-year-old striker Bavidge and midfielder Alfie Stewart, 19 – who both spent the campaign on loan helping Caley Thistle win the League One title – have signed contracts for another year. 

Prior to Robinson’s appointment at Aberdeen in March, both players had been set to exit the Dons on the expiry of their contracts this summer.

Bavidge revealed to The Press and Journal in February he had been told, in a meeting at Cormack Park, he would be released – news which split fans’ opinions.  

However, Robinson – who had confirmed in the closing weeks of the campaign he’d changed the club’s stance and offered both players the chance to stay – said he was “very reluctant to let them leave” in Thursday’s announcement. 

Bavidge – who scored 10 times in League One on Inverness’ way to the third-tier crown and promotion – says something he no longer thought was “possible” has happened as he returned to Cormack Park for the start of Aberdeen’s pre-season on Thursday.

“I’d obviously been told that I wasn’t getting kept on and I just took that as final,” Bavidge said.

“I didn’t have much time to think about it, because the end of the season was very hands-on and I was just wanting to focus on my football, so I didn’t really have that much time to think about it and process it.

“But no, I didn’t think it was possible.”

I didn’t know whether I was having to take my stuff and leave – Bavidge

Robinson and Stewart featured in a training ground bounce game for Aberdeen following the conclusion of their campaign with Inverness – with their performances contributing to Robinson’s decision to keep them on.

Soon to be out-of-contract, Bavidge told RedTV he turned up at Cormack Park in May uncertain and expecting to clear out his locker, before the Dons boss gave both he and Stewart “clarity” they were still wanted by the Reds.

Bavidge said: “It was a really, really positive conversation and it gave me a lot of clarity on what was going to happen, because we got brought back in just a week after we’d finished with Inverness and I wasn’t too sure what was happening – whether I was having to take my stuff and leave.

“But no, it gave me a lot of clarity and I could go away and rest over the summer knowing what was happening.

“Again, it gave me some belief for the season after that I could go and show the new staff what I can offer.”

‘Every single day important’ in pre-season as Bavidge looks to ‘prove’ himself at Aberdeen boss Robinson

Bavidge – the son of north striking legend Martin – has been at Aberdeen since primary school, and has made five first-team appearances – all during the 2022/23 season, and before loan spells at Kelty Hearts, Ayr United and the last two seasons at ICT.

Playing regularly for Aberdeen has “always been the dream” for the prolific youth football marksman, who says he has “learned different things” from each of his loans in men’s football – including how to “win something” last term.”

He added: “I’ve been here since seven years old and you come through the academy and that’s all you’re wanting to do. That’s all everyone’s wanting to do.

“So to be given the extra year to try to prove myself again feels like a clean slate in a way.”

Bavidge admits it would be “an amazing feeling” to open his scoring tally for Aberdeen’s senior side.

However, the next few weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Robinson keeps Bavidge and Stewart in the first-team squad for the 2026/27 season, or whether they go back out on loan to the Championship.

Robinson stated he is weighing up both options for both Bavidge and Stewart.

Bavidge knows how vital this pre-season could be in realising his Dons aspirations, saying: “You enjoy your time off, but you’re always, when it comes to the end of it, you’re always just wanting back in amongst it.

“Every single day is going to be important.

“It’s sort of a new beginning, so I need to just put it in every day and do my best.”

[Source: Press and Journal]