Dundee

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Dundee have completed their third signing of the day, with striker Seb Palmer-Houlden arriving on a season-long loan from Bristol City.

The 20-year-old scored nine times in 42 appearances on loan at Newport County in England's fourth tier last season.

He joins fellow new recruits, goalkeeper Jon McCracken and defender Clark Robertson, on a busy day of transfer activity at Dens Park.

"It’s a great move for me," said Palmer-Houlden.

"The Scottish Premiership is a great league and when I heard that Dundee were interested I jumped at the opportunity.

"I developed a lot as a player last season at Newport County and I want to continue that this season at Dundee.

"I’m a high-intensity runner, I like to get in behind the defence and score goals."

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Clark Robertson says the chance to work with Tony Docherty again was a "big part" in his decision to join Dundee.

The defender, 30, has signed up at Dens Park for the next two years after leaving Israeli side MS Ashdod.

Aberdeen-born Robertson had "much interest from teams in Scotland and England", according to Dundee, but has opted for a Docherty reunion.

He previously played under Docherty for two years when the current Dundee boss was Aberdeen assistant.

Robertson then had stints with Blackpool, Rotherham and Portsmouth before heading to Israel last summer.

"I’m buzzing to sign for the club and to be coming back to Scotland," he said.

"I’ve worked with the manager before at Aberdeen and when I spoke to him I was really excited about what he had to say.

"He’s played a big part in getting me here and hopefully I can repay that faith he has shown in me.

"Dundee is the perfect move for me at this stage in my career. I got experience over the past nine years playing in England and then abroad last season and hopefully I can use that experience to help the younger boys at the club."

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Dundee appear to have won the race to sign defender Clark Robertson.

The 30-year-old is a free agent following the end of his contract with Israeli side MS Ashdod.

Robertson had also been linked with a possible move to Hibernian, but it looks like Dens Park will be his destination next term.

The centre-half began his career with his hometown club Aberdeen, where he worked under current Dundee boss Tony Docherty, who was assistant manager at Pittodrie at the time.

He then pursued a career in England, turning out for Blackpool, Rotherham United and Portsmouth, before making the move to Ashdod.

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Dundee have signed Jon McCracken from Norwich City on a two-year deal after the goalkeeper's two loan spells at Dens Park last season.

McCracken played four games at the start of the campaign before returning in January and going on to make 11 appearances as Tony Docherty's men secured a top-six finish.

The 24-year-old, who arrives on a free after his Norwich deal expired, said: "It’s great to be back. It’s my third time signing in 12 months, it must be some sort of record, but I’m delighted to commit to the club like they have committed to me.

"At the end of the season, it didn’t feel like I was saying goodbye. We had already had initial talks about me coming back and when I sat down and spoke to the manager about it my mind was made up.

"In the end, it was a fairly easy decision. To be part of the team that finished in the top six was fantastic and I’ve seen the ambition the club has and I want to be part of that."

Manager Docherty added: "Last year we took a lot of loans and some of that strategy is to bring in loans and then make them permanent - Jon is an example of that.

"I thought he did really well and he hugely contributed us finishing top six."

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Dundee boss Tony Docherty says interest in Luke McCowan is no surprise and confirmed the club are in talks with the midfielder over a new deal.

McCowan impressed in helping Dundee to a sixth-place finish last season on their return to the top flight and has been linked with champions Celtic as well as clubs in the English Championship and MLS., external

The 26-year-old still has a year left on his contract but Dundee are keen to secure him on extended terms.

"Luke's been fantastic, he had a great season last year," Docherty said.

"When you're doing well and when you're getting that level of success, you're going to have suitors.

"We hope to keep him here to make sure he does the same this year."

Other than defender Rickie Lamie, who agreed a pre-contract in February, Dundee are yet to make a signing this summer, although Docherty said new arrivals are "imminent".

He added that the club's top-half finish last term, and strategic partnership with Burnley, makes it easier to attract players.

"It's more appealing," he said. "It's a much easier sell this year than it was last year.

"The whole environment here, you look at the training ground, the stadium plans, the strategic partnership we have, it's an attractive place to play."

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Motherwell have announced the signing of striker Zach Robinson on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old spent the past two seasons on loan at Dundee, scoring 19 goals in 58 appearances, but makes the move to Fir Park after his contract with Wimbledon expired.

"It’s pleasing to see another new face at the club," said manager Stuart Kettlewell, who has now signed five players this summer.

"Getting so much business complete early on gives us a real base to work with.

"Zach is still young but has good experience of football in Scotland. He knows where the back of the net is and he adds more options for us up the top end of the park."

Robinson is excited to be continuing his career in the Premiership.

"I've only heard good things about the club from people that I've talked to," said the English forward.

"Everyone I have met has been great and it just makes the move so much easier.

"I feel like I've got more to give and this seems like the perfect place to do so."

Hibernian and Dundee are interested in former Aberdeen central defender Clark Robertson, while the 30-year-old free agent has been offered a new deal to stay on at Israeli club Ashdod. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip

Former Dundee defender Lee Wilkie says signing winger Luke McCowan, 26, up on a new contract would be the club's best summer business. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Celtic have been monitoring Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan, while clubs in the English Championship and Major League Soccer are interested in the 26-year-old who is entering the last year of his contract. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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If you could only buy one, sell one, and loan out one player at Dundee, who would you pick?

That was the question we asked you to answer, with the transfer window now open.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Ben: I'd loan out Fin Robertson, definitely a player in there but needs a season playing week in week out in the Championship to help improve his physicality. I'd get rid of Curtis Main, holds the ball up well but looked way off the pace in games last season. I'd take a punt on signing Charlie McNeil, young talented striker just been released by Man Utd.

Carl: The Welsh Wizard, Owen Beck, would be a priority buy if money wasn’t a problem. He's a good fit in the team and apparently a good strong influence in the dressing room. Big Harry Sharp to be loaned, he needs a good run in the Championship. Zak Rudden to be sold, no explanation required.

Jefcal: Buy a full-back who can play both sides. Sell wee Lyall Cameron while we can. He has loads of ability but he can't tackle and gets steamrolled in big games.

Anon: We need a good centre-half and a striker who can scores 15 or more goals in a season.

Ayr United and Livingston are interested in 30-year-old Dundee centre-half Lee Ashcroft, who finished last season with the two club's Scottish Championship rivals, Raith Rovers. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Shaun Byrne has returned to Raith Rovers on a two-year deal after his Dundee exit.

The midfielder, 31, spent last season on loan in Kirkcaldy, playing 41 games as Rovers finished Championship runners-up before losing to Ross County in the play-off final.

Having moved to Dens Park from Livingston five years ago, Byrne was released by Dundee this summer after more than 100 appearances for the Dark Blues.

The transfer window opens on Friday and we want to know what matters to you most this summer.

If you could only buy one, sell one and loan out one player at Dundee, who would you pick?

Click here, external to let us know.

One-time Dundee target Jack McMillan is set to sign for Exeter City after the 26-year-old full-back rejected a new contract with Partick Thistle. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Representatives from Celtic, Hibernian and Ross County feature on the SPFL board for the 2024-25 season.

County director James MacDonald, Hibs non-executive chairman Malcolm McPherson and Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson make up the Premiership contingent.

Paul Hetherington (Airdrieonians) and Graeme Mathie (Ayr United) will represent the Championship, while Andrew Allan (Alloa Athletic) and Allan Maitland (Clyde) have been elected for League 1 and 2.

In a statement, the SPFL say clubs also "voted unanimously" to approve a recommendation that a new Ifab protocol for permanent concussion substitutes is used across all SPFL competitions.

"Each team will be allowed one concussion substitute per match in addition to the normal number of substitutes and substitution opportunities," they say.

"If that concussion substitute is used, the other team is allowed an additional substitute."

We asked you where Tony Docherty needs to strengthen his side in the summer transfer window.

This is what you had to say:

Darren: Two full backs and a finisher.

Phil: We definitely need bolstering on defence, as both full back positions need signings. Could do with another centre back, too. A wide player and at least two more strikers as well, so at least six positions need filling. I would like to see Aaron Donnelly, Dara Costelloe, Owen Dodgson and Jon McCracken sign permanently.

Carl: We need additional strength in defence, midfield and a proven goalscorer. Easy to write but mega difficult to carry out, as most teams, and some with loads more cash than us, are in the same boat. Go to it Tony Doc and weave your magic once again like you did last season!

Iain: We need a striker who can give us 15+ goals a season. We didn't take enough of our chances last season. We also need someone to look after the pitch!

Rod: A central defender needed the most as we let in too many goals last season. Like every team, a goal scorer up front would help us into the European spots next season. If we get some of the loanees back from last season then they will be more experienced as will our young players. We need to bring our own young players through every season.

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Dundee have announced they will face FC Banik Ostrava and Lech Poznan in two pre-season friendlies.

The game against FC Banik Ostrava takes place at Stadion MKS Promien in Opalenica on 3 July, before taking on Lech Poznan on Saturday 6 July at Stadion Akademii, Wronki.

Tony Docherty's side will play Arbroath and Dunfermline either side of their trip to Poland as they prepare for their second season back in the top flight.

It's been a quite summer so far at Dens Park with Dundee yet to announce any new signings.

Tony Docherty told BBC Sportsound last weekend he's busily working away on transfers, so rest assured.

When deals do start getting over the line, which positions do you hope are bolstered? What should be the manager's top priority this window?

Give us your thoughts. , external

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The results are in. And they may be a surprise.

We asked you to cast your vote on whether the Scottish Premiership should keep VAR or scrap it.

More than 3,000 of you responded to the poll - and while there was a clear majority, it was no landslide.

Those in favour of ditching VAR totalled 67% of voters, while 33% were in favour of favour of keeping it.

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Dundee will take on former manager James McPake's Dunfermline Athletic in a pre-season friendly, the club have announced.

Tony Docherty's side will travel to East End Park on Wednesday 10 July, with a 19:30 BST kick-off.

The Pars finished sixth in the second tier last term, seven points outside the promotion play-offs and just three points above the relegation play-off.

It will be the first time the two sides have met since a SPFL Trust Trophy thriller in January 2023, which Dundee won 4-2.

The Scottish Professional Football League has ordered Dundee to pay St Johnstone £15,000 after ruling on whether the Perth club should be paid for the costs associated with McDiarmid Park being the back-up "home" venue for the Dark Blues’ Premiership game against Rangers in April. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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BBC Scotland will continue to broadcast live matches and highlights from the Scottish Cup for another five years.

The new deal extends the BBC's arrangement of showing a game from each round - up to and including the final - on a free-to-air platform.

The contract also allows the broadcaster to produce "near live digital highlights".

The Scottish Youth Cup final will also be shown live for the next five years.

• Read the full story

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Dundee have lost their appeal against a £186,000 fine handed down by the SPFL over the state of the pitch at Dens Park. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip