Shinnie’s departure will come as no surprise to Aberdeen fans, with his influence on the pitch waning in a turbulent season.
The midfielder only started half of the club’s league games as they limped to ninth place, with his all-action play becoming less effective week-to-week as age catches up.
Robinson clearly agrees as he starts his Aberdeen rebuild, with regular game time the sticking point in Shinnie extending his stay.
But the captain will depart as a hero to every Dons supporter. One of their own, he visibly gave everything every time he stepped on to the pitch.
Watching a local lad fly into tackles, rally team-mates, and sometimes single-handedly drive their team forward is not something fans are regularly accustomed to in the modern game. That is what Shinnie gave the Red Army.
During his first spell he was part of a brilliant midfield three which also involved Kenny McLean and Ryan Jack as Aberdeen became Celtic’s main challengers, losing out in finals and in the league.
Latterly, with lots of signings coming and going, he has been one of few consistent presences giving the club a sense of identity.
Despite that turbulence of recent years, he got the moment he and his fellow fans had dreamed of on 24 May 2025.
Shinnie will forever be remembered for sticking Aberdeen’s first penalty in the shootout win over Celtic right into the top corner.
That, and the celebrations which followed that long-awaited Scottish Cup win will be the defining image of him at Pittodrie.