Aberdeen began the season with successive league wins over Hamilton Academical and St Johnstone, but suffered a poor run of form in the following months, culminating in a club record 0–9 defeat to Celtic in November 2010.

[10] Seven new players arrived at Pittodrie in the summer transfer window, including Scotland international Paul Hartley, who was appointed as team captain.

on transfer deadline day in August on a season-long loan, with striker Andrius Velička moving in the opposite direction.

Paul Marshall, Jim Paterson and last season's top scorer Steven MacLean all left to go back to their parent club.

Eight out-of-contract players departed Aberdeen on free transfers in the summer, including left-back Charlie Mulgrew, who rejoined Celtic, and former captain Mark Kerr, who joined Greek club Asteras Tripolis.