Shayden Morris has opened up on his Aberdeen departure, revealing he would have been happy to stay at Pittodrie but felt a lack of 'respect' during new contract negotiations. The 24-year-old winger left the Dons to join Luton Town at the end of the 2025 summer transfer window, months after helping Aberdeen lift the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1990.
Final season turnaround
Morris was signed by Jim Goodwin from Fleetwood Town in the summer of 2022, but his first two years in the Granite City were hampered by injury and limited opportunities under several managers. After the arrival of Jimmy Thelin, the winger enjoyed a fruitful campaign, registering five goals and 13 assists in 49 appearances, including the winner in a 2-1 home triumph over Rangers.
That season culminated in Aberdeen's shock Scottish Cup final victory over holders Celtic on penalties, with Morris's cross late in the second half forcing Kasper Schmeichel to put the ball in his own net to send the game into extra time.
Contract talks and departure
Speaking exclusively to Record Sport's In Conversation series, Morris said: "There was a point where I wanted to stay at Aberdeen but obviously things happened and it didn't go to plan. I can't say too much on it but after the cup final and the season ended, I went away and said to my agents 'if we can get something sorted at Aberdeen, (a new contract) I'll be happy to stay at the club because the love I had there was so high, and obviously we were going into Europe. I felt a good vibe there. But unfortunately, we couldn't meet what needed to be met."
He added: "(Contract) negotiations were still ongoing but I then made it clear that I didn't want to be at the club. I felt like I had a good season and won player of the year and I wanted a bit more respect on the (new) contract. I get that (football) is a business and things can't always go to plan but during that period, Luton then showed some interest and with it being closer to home, there were many positives for me."
Abrupt exit and cup memories
Morris was part of the Aberdeen squad that travelled to Romania for the Europa League play-off showdown with FCSB when he got the greenlight to complete his transfer to Kenilworth Road. He recalled: "I travelled to Bucharest when the Luton stuff did go quiet because it was difficult for Aberdeen to meet an agreement with them. I said 'yeah, I'll be involved and play' even though I was still struggling from a little knock I had. After the training session the night before the game, I came back into the changing room and my phone was blowing up from my agency group chat saying 'it's been agreed, it's a done deal' and I was like 'wow, okay'. Without much being said, I had to leave the next morning. Obviously I was really sad that I didn't get to say goodbye properly to my teammates. It just ended quite abruptly."
Reflecting on his emotions before being introduced in the Scottish Cup final, Morris stated: "I was a bit confused as it was getting towards the 80th minute and I still wasn't being told 'it's time to come on'. I kept looking over to Jimmy thinking 'what's going on? are you going to bring me on?!' When I came on, I could see my family (in the stands) thinking 'yes, finally, let's go.' I remember coming on and thinking 'when I touch the ball I am going to do everything I can to help the team. I've seen that video of the equaliser so many times. I remember Pape (Gueye) doing some magic and giving the ball to Ante (Palaversa). I screamed at him to give the ball to me as I wanted to do something to help the team and the fans. Obviously I took a cross-shot and we equalised. I looked up and saw red everywhere and everyone was going mental."
Morris added: "When Alistair Johnston went up to take the last pen, I was just praying to God that this would be the moment for us. My dad always said to me since I was young that he wanted me to win a trophy and get some silverware."
Redemption arc complete
The winger insisted winning the cup and the subsequent party scenes in the Granite City made all the pain from his first two years at the club worth it. He said: "After all the ups and downs of the season, one kick could make it all worth it and thankfully Dimi saved it. I remember crying as I ran to him. I don't know why he told us to wait unless he knew something we didn't but when the referee blew the whistle, that moment from there became the best two days of my life. Those moments made me feel so strong as a person as I felt 'like nothing can get to me now' after what I came through in that season."
He concluded: "If you want to know about my time at Aberdeen, take a seat, because a lot happened. I went through two surgeries and then feeling like I would never play for Aberdeen again. I went from feeling like the most hated man in the world to those celebrations and getting the player of the year was just amazing for me. I think I said 'Is the redemption arc complete?' I just had to pinch myself and think 'wow did I really do this?' I have got to be proud of myself, and with my family and my faith in god for getting me through moments like that, it shows other people that things are possible if you believe and put your mind to it."
