The playmaker's exit was part of late flurry that has reschaped the Dons' squad.
19:00, 03 Feb 2026
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(Image: Andy Buchanan/Shutterstock)
Peter Leven has confirmed that Leighton Clarkson wanted to leave Aberdeen for family reasons.
The playmaker left the Scottish Cup winners for Blackpool on transfer deadline night.
Clarkson was a fans’ favourite but Leven admitted that the player was keen to head back down south.
Leven said: "He wanted to go back home to be close to his family.
"Clarky’s a talented player and we wish him all the best and thank him for the time he's had here.
"That's a decision Clarky wanted to make and good luck to him.
"He's just had a baby (with his partner) and obviously his mum and dad are still down there and they're close too, so I think that was one of the main reasons.”
Aberdeen did bring in midfielder Dennis Geiger from Hoffenheim to replace him. He will make his debut against [Celtic](https:// https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc), as will Afeez Aremu, who has not got his work permit, and new signing Tom McIntyre who arrived as a free agent, after he left Portsmouth.
Leven admitted: “I had a chat with Afeez.
“Obviously he's not played a lot of minutes, but he's been training, which again, doesn't relate to game time.
"But he's trained for two or three days. He's looking well, so we'll wait and see if he plays tomorrow.
"Dennis may be a little bit further off it than Afeez, but they both might need to play some part of the game tomorrow.
“Tom’s an experienced centre-back coming from Portsmouth, an ex-Scotland under-21 international, who brings experience, is left-sided, so fills in for Mats (Knoester). "
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Dante Polvara(Image: SNS Group)
Aberdeen have lost quality in this window in terms of Clarkson and Dante Polvara and it is up to the new boys to fill that void.
"There's definite quality there,” Leven claimed.
"We've obviously lost players who know the league.
“There's players that have come in who really don't know the league - but they'll need to pick it up fast.
"But listen, I think the players that I've brought in, they'll add quality to the squad.
"I hope so (it's strong enough in all areas). It depends what system you want to play.
"There's maybe one or two that you could have added in, but listen, it's what I've got to deal with now."
They have signed McIntyre but they are still thin in the centre half areas, although Gavin Molloy isn’t far away from returning.
Leven confirmed: “I think I've got four centre-backs unavailable for tomorrow - obviously, Tom coming in last minute helps a lot, and Nicky can play there sometimes at the right of a three.
"We're just going to have to adjust and adapt and deal with it.
Asked about Gavin Molloy's injury return, Leven replied: "About a week or two, so he's not far away.
"He's kind of joined in bits and parts of training recently, so I think he'll start full training next week."
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(Image: SNS Group)
Leven ripped shreds off his team after they lost at Kilmarnock. He has seen a reaction on the training pitch but the only place he wants to see it is on the pitch against Celtic.
Sivert Nilsen accepted it wasn't good enough from his side.
Leven stated: “I’ve seen a reaction - but I want to see a reaction on the pitch.
"There's no point in just showing my reaction in the media room or on the training pitch. I want to see it on the pitch.
"That's where everybody sees it and that's where you get results.
"So you can do all your talking in here with me saying 'yeah, we need to be better there... I should have done this...'
"I don't need to hear that - I want to see it on the pitch. That's where I want to see it.”
Aberdeen are edging closer to appointing their new manager. Leven is in the dark and confirmed sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel is leading that search.
"Lutz is obviously in charge with Alan (Burrows, chief executive) and stuff like that,” he confirmed.
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"And I said I'm just stepping up to help the club again.
“So whatever happens, happens.
"I would love to give you something (on timescale), but I don't know."