- EXCLUSIVE from Mark Hendry
Aberdeen were undoubtedly one of the busiest Premiership clubs on January transfer deadline day.
They kicked things off with the acquisition of defender Mats Knoester on a free transfer after he was released from Ferencvaros.
With that, Angus MacDonald was allowed to leave the Dons to ‘pursue opportunities elsewhere’ as the 32-year-old’s two-year Pittodrie stint came to an end.
Oday Dabbagh became Aberdeen’s sixth and final winter addition, before fan favourite Duk made a late switch to La Liga side Leganes.
The transfer fee for the Cape Verde forward was widely reported as £600k. But Not The Old Firm can exclusively confirm the figure is actually a considerable chunk less.
We have also obtained details regarding a non-relegation bonus and what Aberdeen could earn from any future transfer fee if Duk moves on again.
Not to mention what Benfica are entitled to take from the overall Leganes transfer fee given their own sell-on clause inserted in Duk’s Aberdeen contract.
Duk to Leganes real transfer fee & relegation clause
We can reveal that the deal to take Duk from Aberdeen to Leganes was actually worth £400k. The Dons will then receive an extra £50k if Leganes avoid relegation from La Liga this season.
How likely is that to happen? It’s definitely still up in the air. Leganes are currently 16th in the Spanish top-flight and only two points above the relegation zone.
20 teams compete in every La Liga campaign and the bottom three go down, exactly the same as the Premier League down south.
Aberdeen insert sell-on clause in Duk’s Leganes contract
Aberdeen will receive 5% of any future transfer sale involving Duk, who has signed a deal at Leganes until 2027.
For example, if Duk performs well enough and earns a £1m move away from Leganes in 2026, the Dons would receive £50k.
What Benfica receive from Duk Aberdeen exit
In April 2023, it was revealed by Duk himself that Benfica would be due a whopping 50% of any fee Aberdeen take if they were to sell the forward.
Duk said at the time: “I have a contract with Aberdeen for two more seasons, until June 2025.
“Benfica has 50% of my transfer. But right now I’m very happy here. I’m enjoying it a lot and I’m in no rush to leave here.
“I’m focused on Aberdeen and what I want is to keep scoring goals.”
Given the the deal was worth £400k without the non-relegation bonus, Aberdeen will actually only rake in £200k from Duk’s move to Leganes. Benfica, of course, will bank the other £200k.