Return of the Jack? United hunt for new No. 1
United could turn to a familiar face as the club faces a complete rebuild of its goal-keeping department.
Former Dundee United goalkeeper Jack Walton is among the club’s targets as they search for a new goalkeeper, sources have suggested.
Walton, who came to Tannadice on loan from Luton Town, made 85 appearances across two seasons.
He helped United secure promotion from the Championship and a fourth-place finish in the Premiership the following season.
After being released from his parent club at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Walton joined English Championship outfit Preston North End, where he kept the bench warm until joining Cambridge United on a short-term emergency loan in April.
Now United are reportedly exploring if Walton, who is currently under contract with Preston until 2028, could be brought back for a third spell at the club.
Richards on the move
Smiling substitute keeper Dave Richards was notably absent from the list of Tannadice departures earlier this week, despite being out of contract at the end of the month.
Richards made 19 appearances this campaign, compared to four the previous season.
While United have offered Richards a new deal, it is understood that the No. 2 wants to head elsewhere, with Aberdeen leading the list of alternative suitors.
It is likely, then, that United will have to build its goalkeeping team up from scratch.
United have burned through two No 1s since Walton’s departure at the end of 2024/2025 campaign.
Ukranian shotstopper Yevhenii Kucherenko was shipped out in January after becoming the only United goalkeeper in the club’s history to concede three own goals in a single season.
Kucherenko — who, frustratingly, also showed flashes of real potential during his short tenure — ultimately lost his gloves to Richards due to the costly mistakes and it was clear that a fresh start was needed.
Australian international Ashley Maynard-Brewer was brought in on a six-month deal from Charlton Athletic.
He was instantly made first-choice keeper, going on to make 12 starts for the club before suffering a dislocated shoulder which ended his season.
United ultimately decided they hadn’t seen enough of Maynard-Brewer to activate the two-year option on his deal and released him.
Meanwhile Academy graduate Ruairidh Adams is yet to make a start for United’s senior team.
Following Maynard-Brewer’s season-ending injury, Adams was recalled from loan with East Fife in March to take Richard’s spot on the bench.
The club will want the 22-year-old back out on loan next season to continue his development.