May round-up: Tait signs and Walton returns amid Tannadice exodus
The headlines at Tannadice in May.
The Dundee United Dispatch is a new weekly newsletter bringing you the latest Dundee United news and transfer gossip, with a monthly wrap-up of all the main headlines. You’ll also find all the latest news and analysis on our site as it happens.
Subscribe now for free:
🍊
Transfer latest:
🖋️Falkirk midfielder Dylan Tait is coming to Tannadice. Tait, 24, has signed a three-year deal with United after turning down an extension at Falkirk and offers from English clubs.
🧤Goalkeeper Jack Walton is returning for the third time. Walton, 28, has signed a three-year deal with Dundee United. It comes after two successful loan spells with the club.
📤The Tannadice summer exodus began earlier this month, with Johnny Russell leading a list of 15 exits. Kristijan Trapanovski, Ryan Strain and Ashley Maynard-Brewer were also among the out-of-control players who were not offered new deals.
The club is not expected to take up its options to buy on Krisztian Keresztes or Ivan Dolcek either. United offered a new contract to Dave Richards, although it is thought that Richards will leave United and could even be headed for Aberdeen instead.
A full list of comings and goings can be found here.
🎯Derby are among the list of clubs interested in taking Will Ferry to the English Championship (The Daily Record). Charlton Athletic and Blackburn Rovers are also in the picture. Ferry, who made his debut for the Ireland national team this month, is widely expected to leave Tannadice over the summer.
Premier Sport Cup draw revealed
Dundee United will face Stirling Albion, Montrose, Arbroath and The Spartans in the group stages of the Premier Sports Cup, featuring some ludicrous Saturday kick off times.
Saturday, July 11 (5.30pm): Stirling Albion v Dundee United*
Tuesday, July 14 (7:45pm): Montrose v Dundee United
Saturday, July 18 (7pm): Dundee United v Arbroath*
Tuesday, July 21 (7:45pm): Dundee United v The Spartans
*Live on Premier Sports
International duty:
Dario Naamo made his international debut for Iraq on Friday as he hopes to earn a spot in the side’s World Cup squad. Naamo, 20, came off the bench after 65 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Andorra.
Emmanuel Agyei has made his senior debut for Ghana. Agyei played 75 minutes as Ghana fell to a 2-0 defeat against El Tri last Saturday. Time will tell whether his first international outing will be enough for him to stake a claim in the World Cup squad.
Academy rising star Lorenzo Sassetti, 15, marked his first appearances for Italy’s U/15 side with two goals in as many games. Sassetti, who is already a regular for United’s Under 19s, has played for Scotland’s Under 15s (he’s the youngster who scored that overhead kick). I suspect we won’t get to see this one at Tannadice …
In other news:
Luca Stephenson has gushed about his two seasons on loan at United in an in-depth interview with The Courier (£). The 22-year-old said that manager Jim Goodwin helped him find a “new belief” in himself by throwing him straight into the starting line-up, adding: “If any of the [Liverpool] boys get a sniff of a move to United, I’ll drive them up there myself to get it done!”
Stephenson is set to find a permanent home in the English Championship next season. Bolton Wanderers, who are currently enjoying former United loanee Sam Dalby, are reportedly closing in on his signature (The Bolton News).
A departing Craig Sibbald has said he regrets the “stupid” transfer photo when his deal with Falkirk was announced (The Courier, £). Sibbald, who got a heartfelt reception from United supporters at the end of his final game against St Mirren, said: “I have always appreciated the fans at Dundee United and they have been brilliant with me.”
Two former Dundee United youngsters have been released by their English clubs several years after high-profile deals. Kerr Smith, 21, and Brandon Forbes, 19, are now free agents after being freed by Aston Villa and Norwich City. Forbes made one senior appearance for United, scoring a blinder of a free kick against Ayr United.
Australian international Ryan Strain, who was released from Dundee United this month, is already attracting interested from the A-League (The Courier, £).
Sam Dalby has said he will “always be grateful” for his time at Dundee United after a heroic performance at Wembley Stadium, which ended Bolton’s seven-year wait for Championship football. “I look back on my time at United so fondly. I absolutely loved it and it’ll always be a special place for me,” Dalby told The Courier (£). “That club 100% gave me the platform to show what I can really do.”
United’s ill-fated former keeper Yevhenii Kucherenko has been named goalkeeper of the year for the Greek Super League. Yes, really.
And finally …
The Tannadice turf took a bit of flack this season. Weeks of biblical rain, combined with a game against Hearts which only went ahead because it was on the telly, the pitch was looking a bit worse for wear in January.
Despite having been restored to its usual bowling green standards by the final home game of the season, it’s now being ripped up and replaced ahead of the 26/27 campaign.
Head groundsman Jamie Harle has the drone shots …
