Loirston Loch in Nigg has been recommended as the location for a new community stadium in Aberdeen - incorporating the Dons' new home.
A report detailing the findings has been released following a series of feasibility studies to analyse the deliverability of both Loirston and a site near the Dons' current Pittodrie home in King's Links - as exclusively revealed on Aberdeen-Mad in 2007.
Prior to this, a number of potential sites across the city were examined by both AFC and Aberdeen City Council and all were assessed to be undeliverable.
Each site was examined in three key areas - the environmental assessment; travel and transport, and finally the business and design case.
The Arena Project Team, a partnership between Aberdeen Football Club and Aberdeen City Council, was tasked with overseeing the process of selecting the best locality for a new community stadium.
Duncan Fraser, Managing Director of Aberdeen Football Club and a member of the Arena Project Advisory and Monitoring Board, said the findings of the report mark a vital step towards the building of a new stadium in Aberdeen.
"It has long been acknowledged that Aberdeen needs and deserves an iconic stadium and the Loirston site would be a natural gateway to the city. This report marks an exciting new stage in the bid to provide the local community with this facility.
Fraser admits it will be difficult to move from Pittodrie, but insists the fans' input will be acknowledged.
He said: "The bottom line is that it isn't viable to redevelop Pittodrie. It is an outdated stadium and we absolutely have to move, we have no other option but to relocate.
"We recognise how difficult this is for supporters as the beach area is for many the spiritual home of Aberdeen Football Club.
"These recommendations have still to be approved and at the appropriate time, there will be a full consultation process with all of our stakeholders including, of course, fans as their feedback and opinion is so important."
An economic impact analysis completed in 2006 determined that Aberdeen FC contributes at least £6 million per year to the local economy. The club also supports a total of 350 full time equivalent jobs.
The report will now go out to consultation and will be referred to the Policy and Strategy Committee on April 28th.
