The Finance and Resources (F&R) committee agreed a report which outlined several capital projects including an update on the new Cruyff Court that Hunter Construction (Aberdeen) Limited has been appointed as the main contractor.

The works on the new sports facility, which is to be named in honour of Aberdeen FC’s legendary skipper Willie Miller, are planned to start next month.

Convener of Finance and Resources Committee, Councillor Alex McLellan, said: “I am pleased that this project is continuing to process, with a contractor now appointed, work is scheduled to begin soon.

“I am confident this Cruyff Court will be a welcome facility within the community and be popular with young people in Tillydrone once it is finished.”

Council co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “This will be a great community sporting facility in Tillydrone. I am pleased that a local contractor has been appointed to build the new Cruyff Court. Once this is built, Aberdeen will be the only UK city other than London to boast three Cruyff Courts.”

In July, councillors approved additional funds for the project at an F&R committee which came from the transfer of a proportion of £6 million of budget savings on the Riverbank School project retendering process. The extra money meant a re-tendering process could be held for the new Cruyff Court in Tillydrone.

The Dons’ most successful-ever captain, who led his team to a never-to-be-forgotten Cup Winner’s Cup triumph over Real Madrid in 1983, paid a visit to the site in August last year (2022) when the naming announcement was made.

Once completed, the Tillydrone facility will make Aberdeen one of only two cities in the UK to have three Cruyff Courts, with the others being named after Aberdeen football heroes Denis Law and the late Neale Cooper.

The court will be a result of the ongoing successful partnership comprising Aberdeen City Council, Denis Law Legacy Trust, and The Cruyff Foundation and will provide an artificial sports and activity area, basketball and dodgeball courts, mini-tennis courts, as well as a running track.