Goodwin looks east for 'humble, hard-working' European talent

Vicko Sevelj has arrived at Tannadice from Slovenian club Radomlje

Jim Goodwin hopes his previous success in bringing "very humble" Eastern European players with "a great work ethic" continues as he prepares his Dundee United side for their return to the Scottish Premiership.

Goodwin signed North Macedonia striker Bojan Miovski when he was in charge at Aberdeen.

And Macedonian winger Kristijan Trapanovski and Croat defender Vicko Sevelj are among the six signings United have made so far during this summer signing window.

"I think, as a club, we recognise the fact that the British market right now is financially a difficult one given the resources not just in the English Championship but some of the bigger clubs in League One and League Two in England now are paying salaries that we just can’t compete with," manager Goodwin said.

"So we have to think outside the box. We have to be willing to do a bit of travelling and our head of recruitment, Michael Cairney, is certainly up to the task and has identified some really good players up to now."

The 24-year-old Trapanovski has arrived from Shkupi, who finished third in the Macedonian top flight last term, with 23-year-old Sevelj coming from Radomlje after their second-bottom finish in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.

"The Trapanovski one, I have been able to get that in motion due to the fact of my relationship with Bojan Miovski’s agent and delighted he assisted us in bringing Kristijan to Dundee United," Goodwin said.

"Vaclav Hladky is another player I think back to when I was at St Mirren and he is now down at Ipswich Town, just gained promotion to the Premier League in England, so there has been a lot of success stories, not just for myself but for other clubs of players coming from the Eastern European market and having good success in Scotland.

"I enjoy working with the Eastern European players because they are very humble, they have got a great work ethic and more often than not are very grateful to be given the opportunity to come and play in the Scottish Premiership."

Meanwhile, Sevelj revealed that following former Radomlje team-mate Ester Sokler's experiences with Aberdeen whetted his appetite for life at Tannadice.

"He said to me ‘unbelievable culture of football, unbelievable country' and that I must get here," Sevelj said.

"He also scored in the cup final against Celtic. When I saw this, everything, this atmosphere when he scored, I was so happy for him and I want this also."