Aberdeen have reportedly joined the chase for Bromley captain Jude Arthurs, with the midfielder expected to leave the newly-promoted League One club this summer.

The 24-year-old is set to become available on a free transfer after rejecting fresh terms at Hayes Lane, sparking interest from clubs on both sides of the border. Barnsley, Leyton Orient and Stevenage have all been credited with an interest, while Aberdeen are now also understood to be in the race.

According to The Press and Journal, the Dons have emerged as potential suitors for Arthurs as they continue to assess options ahead of the new campaign. He played a key role in Bromley’s League Two title-winning season, making 43 appearances and scoring once as Andy Woodman’s side secured another remarkable promotion. That success came just 12 months after the Ravens reached the EFL for the first time in their history, having won the 2024 National League play-off final against Solihull Moors.

Aberdeen Face Competition For Midfielder

Any move for Arthurs is unlikely to be straightforward. His availability on a free transfer, combined with his age and recent experience as captain of a successful side, makes him an attractive option in the market.

He was already the subject of interest earlier in the year, with Dundee United, Plymouth Argyle and Lincoln City all having bids rejected during the January transfer window. Bromley held firm at that point, choosing to keep one of their most important players for the final stages of their promotion push rather than cash in midway through the campaign.

That decision proved worthwhile, with Arthurs remaining part of a side that completed a rapid rise from non-league football into the third tier. Bromley had spent almost all of their existence outside the EFL before promotion in 2024, but they will now prepare for League One football for the first time.

They will have to do so without their captain, though, and that creates a clear opportunity for interested clubs. Arthurs has been with Bromley since 2019, having come through Gillingham’s academy before loan spells with Deal Town, Ramsgate and Lewes earlier in his career.

He has since developed into a dependable midfield figure, passing 200 league appearances for Bromley and becoming one of the faces of the club’s rise. His game is not built around headline numbers, but his durability, leadership and understanding of competitive EFL football are likely to appeal to clubs looking for proven value.

A move that makes sense

For Aberdeen, this would be a very specific type of signing. Arthurs would not arrive as a marquee name, but he would bring captaincy experience, upward momentum and a strong grounding in a side used to winning. With no transfer fee involved, it is the sort of deal that could make sense if the Dons believe his game can translate to the Scottish Premiership.

A title-winning captain at 24, available without a fee, is always going to attract attention. The question now is whether the Dons can move quickly enough to beat the EFL competition.