Graeme Shinnie

Graeme Garry Shinnie signed up from the ICTFC U-19'S In May 2009. A young player who matured at a fast rate. In his first season with the club he played in a number of pre-season friendlies and had also been in North of Scotland Cup action where he captained the side to a Cup Final win over Nairn County.

Made his debut for the club in the 4-0 home win over Annan Athletic in the CIS Cup 1st Rd. on 1st August 2009, coming on as a second half substitute and then made his full debut a little over a fortnight later in a second round Alba Cup match versus Stranraer at the Stadium. His full league debut was against Partick at the Caledonian Stadium on 26th September 2009.

Went out on-loan to Highland League side, Forres Mechanics at the beginning of February 2010 until the end of the season and helped the Mechanics win the Highland League Cup.

Has made steady progress in the first team over the last two seasons. On the verge of a Scotland Under-21 cap when a stomach injury saw him miss all of the second part of 2010-11. Came back into the side at the start of last season and was a model of consistency finally getting that much deserved Under-21 cap against Italy in April 2011. Won a spate of Player of the Year Awards last season much will be expected of our young full-back this season. Scored his first goal for the club, a sensational winners, against Kilmarnock in August 2011 and then made his 50th app. for the club in the home match against St Johnstone at the end of March. Recently played again for Scotland U-21s against Belgium at East End Park, Dunfermline.

Graeme lifted the Scottish Cup as Captain of Inverness in 2015 after beating Falkirk 2-1 in the final. He departed Inverness at the end of the season to join Aberdeen.


2026/2027: Graeme re-signed for the Caley Jags at the start of season 26/27 after his contract at Aberdeen ended and he did not agree to renew his contract at Pittodrie.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC are delighted to announce the pre-contract signing of Graeme Shinnie on a 2-year deal, subject to SFA approval. Graeme will join the club upon his expiry of his contract at Aberdeen FC.

Shinnie, 34, returns to the club nearly 11 years to the day since his final match in the 2015 Scottish Cup Final, where he captained the side to a 2–1 win against Falkirk FC at Hampden Park.

The central midfielder originally joined the club at 17 in 2009 and went on to make 187 appearances and score eight goals during his time with the club.

Following the 2015 Scottish Cup win, Graeme joined his hometown club Aberdeen FC, where he became club captain in 2017. Shinnie later departed Aberdeen for spells with Derby County FC and Wigan Athletic FC in the EFL Championship.

He returned to Aberdeen in January 2023, initially on loan, before rejoining the Dons on a permanent deal that summer. Shinnie then captained Aberdeen to the 2025 Scottish Cup, 10 years after his success with Caley Thistle, becoming the first man to captain two different sides to Scottish Cup victories.

Upon returning to the club, Graeme Shinnie said: “It’s a full-circle moment for me. I started my career here and have some really good memories. It’s the club where I made my debut, came through as a young boy and, obviously, leaving by winning the Scottish Cup was the perfect way to end it.”

“Now I’m back, it is a great feeling, and one that I’m really excited for. It’s good to be back and I’m really looking forward to the football.”