Garry Kenneth keen to leave Dundee United in May

Kenneth says he wants a fresh challenge in England after eight years at United

Dundee United defender Garry Kenneth has said he wants to leave Tannadice at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old is out of contract in May and told manager Peter Houston he would like a new challenge.

Kenneth, who made his United debut in February 2005, is keen to join a club in the English Championship.

"There's nothing concrete, but I've been at the club eight years and it's time for a change," Kenneth told BBC Alba's Scottish Premier League show.

In January last year, Dundee United rejected an offer for Kenneth from Blackpool as "an insult".

The Championship side offered £100,000 for the centre-half, with the sum doubling after a year, but United chairman Stephen Thompson rejected their offer.

Kenneth made his debut in a Scottish Cup tie against Queen of the South and has been capped at Under-21 level.

"I need new challenges; I need a fresh goal," said Kenneth. "That's something I'll look at over the next five or six months."

Scotland manager Craig Levein, who brought Kenneth through at Tannadice, said he could understand why the player would want a new challenge.

Levein also said Dundee United is in an unenviable position of being able to bring young players through, but would always have difficulty preventing migration to bigger clubs or leagues.

"I suppose every player wants to progress and move on in their football career," said Levein.

"He'll be over the age of 23, which means he can move without compensation.

"A lot of players have recently moved from Scotland to England to further their careers - I can understand his thinking.

"Dundee United have lost a number of players recently, mainly because they've done so well in producing players, signing players and moving them on to bigger clubs. It's always the way Dundee United will be - they'll be a club that produces players.

"Gary is one that has done well in his spell there, but I would imagine he's keen on seeking pastures new.

"I think maybe the fresh challenge will do him good - he's a talented enough boy to cope with it, but we'll see how he gets on."