The Story of Aberdeen’s Kits
Founded in 1903 through the merger of three local clubs, Aberdeen FC quickly established themselves as one of Scotland’s footballing powerhouses. Their all-red home shirts, adopted permanently in 1939, have become one of the most recognisable looks in British football.
Before that, Aberdeen wore a mix of white, black, and blue — but the shift to all red, inspired by Arsenal’s dominance, created a visual identity that perfectly reflected the city’s strength and ambition. The Dons have worn red ever since, making it one of the longest continuous colour traditions in the UK.
Kit Evolution and Brand Heritage
Aberdeen’s early red shirts were plain and collarless, made from heavy wool. As football modernised, manufacturers such as Umbro, Adidas, Le Coq Sportif, and Puma added modern styling — while keeping the core design clean and bold.
The club’s 1980s kits, particularly under Adidas, are among the most iconic in Scottish football history — featuring subtle pinstripes, white shoulder flashes, and minimalist sponsor logos. More recent designs by Adidas and Puma have revisited these classics with modern tailoring and performance fabrics.
Away kits have traditionally included white, black, or navy — colours often chosen to mirror the tones of Aberdeen’s granite architecture and North Sea heritage.
Famous Aberdeen Shirts
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1979/80 Home Shirt – the first under Sir Alex Ferguson, marking the start of the club’s golden era.
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1982/83 Home Shirt – worn as Aberdeen defeated Real Madrid to win the European Cup Winners’ Cup — the most famous night in club history.
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1983/84 Home Shirt – associated with the European Super Cup triumph over Hamburg.
2013/14 Home Shirt – worn as the Dons ended a long trophy drought by lifting the Scottish League Cup.
Little-Known Facts About Aberdeen Kits
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The red revolution: Aberdeen switched to all-red in 1939 to create a stronger, more unified identity — inspired by Arsenal.
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European influence: The club’s Adidas kits from the early 1980s are still considered design masterpieces and among the most collected in Europe.
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Crest evolution: The distinctive “AFC goalpost” crest, introduced in 1972, is one of the few football logos to include a ball crossing the goal line.
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Sponsor simplicity: Aberdeen have traditionally favoured minimal sponsors, keeping the shirt’s clean aesthetic.
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Third colour: While red dominates, the Dons have occasionally worn gold or silver kits in tribute to their European triumphs.
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Regional pride: The club’s kits often feature subtle nods to the North Sea and granite heritage of Aberdeen — in tone, texture, or collar detailing.
Kit innovation: Aberdeen were one of the first Scottish clubs to introduce player name printing in domestic competitions.
Our Range and Personalisation Options
At UK Soccer Shop, you’ll find the full Aberdeen collection — official home, away, and third shirts, retro reissues, and training wear. Each jersey is 100% authentic, featuring the club crest, manufacturer logo, and sponsor detailing.
Personalisation is available across most designs, letting you add your name or that of club legends such as Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan, or Jim Leighton.
Explore related collections to complete your Scottish football lineup:
Why Aberdeen Shirts Stand Out
Aberdeen’s red shirts represent strength, loyalty, and northern pride — a look that’s as timeless as it is powerful. From Sir Alex Ferguson’s European champions to the next generation of Dons, every Aberdeen shirt tells a story of passion, resilience, and Scottish football heritage. Whether you’re adding a vintage classic or the latest release, it’s a symbol of a club that continues to punch above its weight.