Aberdeen Football Club has commissioned a statue of Sir Alex Ferguson to honour his incredible achievements at Pittodrie.

Sir Alex guided the club through a period of great success, peaking with the 1982/83 Cup Winners’ Cup. The backdrop of that triumph, Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium, was the venue for the announcement of the statue, made by chairman Dave Cormack and Pittodrie hero Neil Simpson.

The legendary manager’s iconic celebration after sealing the 1980 Premier Division title – his first honour with the Dons – will be the inspiration for the statue.

Dave Cormack, said: “Sir Alex’s contribution to the club was immense and it’s fitting that we honour him in this way.

“His arrival at Pittodrie heralded the start of the most successful period in the club’s history and put Aberdeen firmly on the football map of Europe. The year after next marks the 40th anniversary of our European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in Gothenburg, along with winning the European Super Cup, so while this honour is long overdue, it comes at a fitting time.

“We began exploring the idea of a series of statues to recognise those legends who have made a lasting impact on the Club, over 18 months ago, but the process stalled due to the pandemic. It’s now very much back on our agenda and, when it came to deciding the subject of the first one, there was of course only one option: Sir Alex Ferguson.”

On the unveiling of the news, Sir Alex said: “I am thrilled and honoured by this recognition from Aberdeen Football Club, where I spent a fantastic and memorable part of my managerial career. I am particularly pleased with the image the Club has chosen to base the statue on and with the choice of sculptor whose recent work is incredibly lifelike. I can’t wait to see it!”

Sir Alex was inducted into the AFC Hall of Fame in 2015, and has previously received a DONS (Distinction of Notable Service) Award from DST. He was given the Freedom of the City in 1999, being knighted that year.

The bronze statue will be located on the concourse outside the Richard Donald Stand, and is the first of a series of statues to be commissioned to celebrate AFC legends.

The series of statues will be brought forward by the Club in conjunction with the AFC Heritage Trust. The Dons expect the first statue being unveiled later this year and all the statues will be relocated to AFC’s new stadium.

Chris Gavin of AFC Heritage Trust said: “We are delighted to be involved with this project. Sir Alex is not only the greatest Aberdeen manager, but one of the great living Scots, known throughout the World for the top‐class boss that he is.”

Our previous supporter engagement has illustrated the desire to have club legends immortalised in this way and, naturally, DST welcomes this step to honour the club’s greatest ever manager, and we look forward to announcements regarding future statues.