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 Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: wee eck  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 11:19

Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of defender Aaron Donnelly on a season long loan from Dundee FC.

The 23-year-old joins the Pars from Scottish Premiership side Dundee and will add versatility and experience to Neil Lennon`s squad.

Donnelly has featured three times for Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup so far this season, logging 198 minutes. He started at centre-back in wins over Annan Athletic and Clyde and came off the bench in the opening Group game against Airdrieonians, helping Dundee qualify from Group D, to progress to the Last 16.

Born in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, Donnelly came through the youth ranks at Dungannon Swifts before joining Nottingham Forest in 2019. He turned professional with Forest and made his senior debut in the EFL Cup in August 2022.

The 6ft 1in defender has extensive experience across the English and Scottish leagues. He spent time on loan at Port Vale in League One, before enjoying a successful spell at Dundee in 2023-24, in which he helped the club secure a top-six finish in Scotland`s top-flight.

Following a loan spell at Colchester United, Donnelly returned to Dundee in January 2025 on a permanent deal. He has made 42 appearances for the Dark Blues, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3-3 draw against Celtic at Dens Park.

Capped at senior level by Northern Ireland, Donnelly made his international debut in June 2024 against Andorra. He has also represented Northern Ireland at U21, U17 and U16 level, earning 18 caps for the U21s.

Primarily a left-sided centre-back, Donnelly is also comfortable at left-back and right-back. He is known for his defensive solidity, athleticism and ability to contribute going forward.

Everyone at Dunfermline Athletic welcomes Aaron to KDM Group East End Park and wishes him every success in black and white.



Post Edited (Thu 30 Jul 11:26)
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: StevenPar77  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 12:34

Although common knowledge I am glad this is now confirmed and he has that versatility too.
Some Dindee fans don`t agree thst he be loaned out which is hopefully good news for us.
It is an early announcement, is there to be another đź‘€
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: ipswichpar  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 12:37

Excellent

Welcome Aaron.
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: buffy  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 12:43

Great news!

”Buffy’s Buns are the finest in Fife”, J. Spence 2019”
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: Indiapar1  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 12:52

Good news for both parties I would say. He can get his career back on track.

G Wardrope
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: wee eck  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 13:23

That`s the 7th of a group of new signings which comprises 2 goalies, 3 defenders, a midfielder and a striker. If there are any more to come, maybe a midfielder and a forward?

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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: Raymie the Legend  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 14:14

He seems like a good, solid player with plenty of experience at a decent level.
Welcome, Aaron




It`s bloody tough being a legend
Ron Atkinson - 1983


Post Edited (Thu 30 Jul 14:14)
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: wee eck  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 16:09

Reading his career history reminded me of Tommy Fogarty who we had on loan a couple of seasons ago and I wondered what had happened to him. He was released by Birmingham at the end of last season and has signed for National League side, Tamworth. Donnelly`s a year older than him.

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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: DunfyDave  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 18:52

Welcome to the Pars Aaron 👍

DunfyDave
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: Dandy Warhol  
Date:   Thu 30 Jul 19:53

Dundee fans seem to rate him, seems they like the lad,nice.

I don`t wanna go down like disco.
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: wee eck  
Date:   Fri 31 Jul 12:24

Interesting that first soundings about this move were made at the beginning of June.

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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: GJS93  
Date:   Fri 31 Jul 13:57

Lennon has revealed that he`s kept tabs on the player for a while, and is pleased that he can add to his defensive options, particularly in terms of being a left-footer.
"Despite not being a giant, he`s really good in the air," the Pars boss told Press Sport.
"He`s got good timing, good spring, reads the game very well, and he passes the ball well
"He`s got a decent turn of pace, and he`s left footed. They`re hard to find, good ones, so we think we`ve got another good one here.
"John (Tod) can go there, Luke (Robinson) can play there (left side of a back three) as well obviously.
"We see Aaron maybe playing more as the central one, but at a push, he could play outside centre half there, and it wouldn`t phase him, or put him out of his comfort zone.
"He`s a player we`ve liked for quite a while.
"I remember I saw him playing for Dundee a couple of seasons ago against Celtic and Rangers, and he acquitted himself really well.
"We tried to get him last year, but to no avail, but we`re really pleased to bring him in.
"He`ll bring experience and quality. He`s still young himself, but he`ll probably be the eldest of the defenders that we have, maybe him and Luke, but very pleased.
"He knows the Premier League and I think he`ll add a bit of quality and certainly a bit of steel to us as well."
(Dunfermline Press)

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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: Higgys Mohawk  
Date:   Fri 31 Jul 15:19

Quote:

GJS93, Fri 31 Jul 13:57

Lennon has revealed that he`s kept tabs on the player for a while, and is pleased that he can add to his defensive options, particularly in terms of being a left-footer.
"Despite not being a giant, he`s really good in the air," the Pars boss told Press Sport.
"He`s got good timing, good spring, reads the game very well, and he passes the ball well
"He`s got a decent turn of pace, and he`s left footed. They`re hard to find, good ones, so we think we`ve got another good one here.
"John (Tod) can go there, Luke (Robinson) can play there (left side of a back three) as well obviously.
"We see Aaron maybe playing more as the central one, but at a push, he could play outside centre half there, and it wouldn`t phase him, or put him out of his comfort zone.
"He`s a player we`ve liked for quite a while.
"I remember I saw him playing for Dundee a couple of seasons ago against Celtic and Rangers, and he acquitted himself really well.
"We tried to get him last year, but to no avail, but we`re really pleased to bring him in.
"He`ll bring experience and quality. He`s still young himself, but he`ll probably be the eldest of the defenders that we have, maybe him and Luke, but very pleased.
"He knows the Premier League and I think he`ll add a bit of quality and certainly a bit of steel to us as well."
(Dunfermline Press)


Probably as highly as I’ve seen Lennon talk about a new signing.
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: AdamAntsParsStripe  
Date:   Fri 31 Jul 17:35

Quote:

Higgys Mohawk, Fri 31 Jul 15:19

Quote:

GJS93, Fri 31 Jul 13:57

Lennon has revealed that he`s kept tabs on the player for a while, and is pleased that he can add to his defensive options, particularly in terms of being a left-footer.
"Despite not being a giant, he`s really good in the air," the Pars boss told Press Sport.
"He`s got good timing, good spring, reads the game very well, and he passes the ball well
"He`s got a decent turn of pace, and he`s left footed. They`re hard to find, good ones, so we think we`ve got another good one here.
"John (Tod) can go there, Luke (Robinson) can play there (left side of a back three) as well obviously.
"We see Aaron maybe playing more as the central one, but at a push, he could play outside centre half there, and it wouldn`t phase him, or put him out of his comfort zone.
"He`s a player we`ve liked for quite a while.
"I remember I saw him playing for Dundee a couple of seasons ago against Celtic and Rangers, and he acquitted himself really well.
"We tried to get him last year, but to no avail, but we`re really pleased to bring him in.
"He`ll bring experience and quality. He`s still young himself, but he`ll probably be the eldest of the defenders that we have, maybe him and Luke, but very pleased.
"He knows the Premier League and I think he`ll add a bit of quality and certainly a bit of steel to us as well."
(Dunfermline Press)


Probably as highly as I’ve seen Lennon talk about a new signing.


Chris Hamilton had amazing timing in the air for a short lad but wasn’t offered a contract.

Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: desparado  
Date:   Fri 31 Jul 17:40

CH didn’t have pace though…..

What an opportunity we missed in 2014.
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: wee eck  
Date:   Fri 31 Jul 17:41

I must say I didn`t understand that comment about height. According to wikipedia and transfermarket AD is 1.85m!
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: red-star-par  
Date:   Fri 31 Jul 18:44

Quote:

AdamAntsParsStripe, Fri 31 Jul 17:35

Chris Hamilton had amazing timing in the air for a short lad but wasn’t offered a contract.


I like Chris, he was a good player for us, played his heart out, and I could never fault his effort or his love for The Pars, however, he was limited, and it was the right thing to not offer him a contract
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: Indiapar1  
Date:   Sat 1 Aug 09:41

Quote:

red-star-par, Fri 31 Jul 18:44

Quote:

AdamAntsParsStripe, Fri 31 Jul 17:35

Chris Hamilton had amazing timing in the air for a short lad but wasn’t offered a contract.


I like Chris, he was a good player for us, played his heart out, and I could never fault his effort or his love for The Pars, however, he was limited, and it was the right thing to not offer him a contract


It was a big decision to not offer him a new contract. I like CH and you could never doubt his committment to the club. He will get more game time where he has gone, and you can always bounce back who knows. In the years ahead he may return to Dunfermline in some capacity.

G Wardrope
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: GJS93  
Date:   Mon 10 Aug 13:11

despite playing in the cup already, it looks like he can play on Saturday and beyond should we go through.

the rule isnt simple and hasnt changed from last season where Oisin Smyth played for StMirren in the group stage then played the quarter final for Partick.

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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: Lesliepartoo  
Date:   Mon 10 Aug 13:18

Hammy was offered a contract but wasnt getting any game so why would he want to stay

Cmon ye pars

Post Edited (Mon 10 Aug 13:18)
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: StevenPar77  
Date:   Mon 10 Aug 13:55

There hasn`t been much said about Aaron and his display on Saturday which is a good thing although in general the team didn`t defend cornes well at all.
However, his general play has been just fine.
Good that he can play on Saturday as consistency is key but will be a tough shift against a handful in Brian Graham.
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: AdamAntsParsStripe  
Date:   Mon 10 Aug 15:08

Quote:

GJS93, Mon 10 Aug 13:11

despite playing in the cup already, it looks like he can play on Saturday and beyond should we go through.

the rule isnt simple and hasnt changed from last season where Oisin Smyth played for StMirren in the group stage then played the quarter final for Partick.


Would that still apply given Dundee are still in the competition?

Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: Dave_1885  
Date:   Mon 10 Aug 16:24

Is it maybe just the Scottish Cup that doesn’t allow for players to play for 2 teams?

I know the “cup tied” ruling no longer applied in European competitions.
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: pars4life1  
Date:   Mon 10 Aug 17:04

If you`re not 5 years old and you can read the rule is very simple, play in the group stage, you are cup-tied for the group stage but can play for another club in the knockouts. Play in the knockouts and you can only play knockout ties for that club in this years competition

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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: AlterPar  
Date:   Mon 10 Aug 17:23

What a condescending r sole you are sonny
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 Re: Aaron Donnelly signs
Topic Originator: red-star-par  
Date:   Mon 10 Aug 21:48

Quote:

pars4life1, Mon 10 Aug 17:04

If you`re not 5 years old and you can read the rule is very simple, play in the group stage, you are cup-tied for the group stage but can play for another club in the knockouts. Play in the knockouts and you can only play knockout ties for that club in this years competition


That`s actually quite helpful information, Pars4life1 but are you aware if you had changed the tone of it, everyone would be thinking "good guy" rather than "t0ssÂŁr"
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