St Johnstone forward Nicky Clark has been reunited with former Dundee United team-mate Ian Harkes, now with New England Revolution, during a visit to the United States and watched another Tannadice favourite of yesteryear, Ryan Gauld, score twice for Vancouver Whitecaps in Greater Boston. (Sun), external
Image source, SNSDundee United academy director Paul Cowie has taken the "very difficult decision" to leave for a first-team coaching role at an unspecified club.
Cowie has been at United for five years and was appointed to his current post in October 2022.
The Tannadice club praised Cowie's contribution and cited the "significant milestones" of 13 academy graduates being involved in the first team last season while CAS [Club Academy Scotland] Elite Status was awarded for a sixth successive year.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to contribute to Dundee United's current success in developing young players for the first team," said Cowie.
"However, I have been afforded an excellent opportunity to progress my coaching career in a new first-team environment.
"I leave the academy in a great place, where the foundations have been set with the recent announcement of the Elite Club Academy Scotland Status being maintained and the positive environment we have created together.
"This will allow my successor, the excellent current academy staff and promising young talent to continue to move forward from strength to strength."
Image source, SNSScott McMann has joined Ayr United after his three-year stay at Tannadice came to an end last month.
The 27-year-old was a surprise departure after helping Dundee United to the Championship title.
McMann played in all but one of the club's 36 league games, and will stay in the second tier after no agreement was reached on a new deal.
He has agreed a two-year deal with Ayr.
Dundee United owner Mark Ogren has confirmed that he is talks with potential investors, with his counterparts at Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion interested in potential collaborations, while there is also overseas interest. (The Courier), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, BBC Sport
If you could only buy one, sell one, and loan out one player at Dundee United, 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:
Calum: Obviously very happy to be back in the Premiership. I think we should be looking to sign better players than the ones we have recently signed from the lower leagues in England.
Jim: We require another experienced striker, someone with Premiership experience, possibly Simon Murray. A wide left-sided player, Danny Armstrong. Glenn Middleton had a very disappointing campaign, no doubt has ability but his character in high-profile games is lacking.
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 United, who would you pick?
Click here, external to let us know.
Image source, SNSRepresentatives 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."
Image source, SNSSaturdays without the football can be tough.
But the Sportsound team still have you covered, dipping into the archive to bring you two Dundee United legends revealing all about their team-mates.
Tune in from 17:00 to BBC Radio Scotland to hear from Maurice Malpas and Hamish McAlpine, or catch up on BBC Sounds.
Image source, SNSThe 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.
Image source, SNSGoalkeeper Dave Richards says he is "here to drive standards" after leaving Crewe Alexandra to join Dundee United on a two-year deal.
The Welshman, 30, ends his nine-year stint with the English League Two side to become United's second signing in as many days ahead of their Premiership return.
Richards sampled the top flight last season with a loan spell at St Johnstone where he did not make a first-team appearance.
On his Tannadice move, Richards said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to get this over the line. I haven’t heard anything but brilliant things from other players about this club.
“The people in Scotland have welcomed me with open arms since my arrival last August - as soon as this opportunity arose I wanted to jump on it straight away.”
With Jack Walton having returned to parent club Luton Town, Richards and 22-year-old Jack Newman are now the two goalkeepers in United's squad.
Manager Jim Goodwin said he "couldn't overlook" Richards' experience, adding: "He’ll provide stiff competition for the starting spot while he will also be another reliable, senior voice for me to lean on in the dressing room."
Because the 24-year-old has not yet been capped by his country, Dundee United would have to appeal for an exception to the rules in order to receive a visa for Kristijan Trapanovski and sign the winger from North Macedonian club Shkupi. (The Courier), external
Partick Thistle are closing in on a deal to sign Logan Chalmers following the winger's release by Dundee United and are pushing hard to beat Dunfermline Athletic, Larne, Livingston and Raith Rovers to sign Shaun Byrne after the midfielder's Dundee exit. (The Courier), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNSBBC 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.
Image source, SNSWill Ferry has become the "first of many" Dundee United signings this summer after the full-back signed a three-year deal at Tannadice.
The Southampton academy graduate, 23 was most recently with Cheltenham Town in English League One, having previously enjoyed a loan spell with Crawley Town.
Ferry says he is excited to be joining the Scottish Championship winners as they prepare for life back in the top flight.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to prove myself at the top level of Scottish football, it's a challenge that really excites me," he said.
"I'm counting down the days until we can get to work in pre-season and kick on, I can't wait to get started."
Manager Jim Goodwin believes the defender has all the qualities needed to thrive in the Premiership upon his arrival.
“Getting some solid business done early was imperative to our summer plans, and the signing of Will represents just that," he said.
“He possesses all of the attributes necessary to be a successful player in the Scottish Premiership, with pace, tenacity and fabulous level of technical ability. His versatility will also prove vital throughout an unrelenting league campaign."
Head of Recruitment Michael Cairney says United fended off other clubs for Ferry's signature, while also vowing that the Republic of Ireland youth international marks the "first of many" signings ahead of the new season.
Image source, SNSTannadice will be renamed after Dundee United signed "one of the most lucrative partnerships" in their history, the club has announced.
Described as a "landmark" for the Scottish Championship winners, their stadium will be known as the CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park until summer 2026.
The club has committed to improvements of the ground both internally and externally, pledging to put fans' matchday experience at the "forefront" of the plans.
Calforth co-founders Stevie Callander & Grant Handforth are both United fans and say the stadium should still be referred to as Tannadice.
"As two fans of the club, we recognised the significance of being the first company to attribute its name to such a historical stadium," they said in a statement.
"It will always be Tannadice, not only to the fans, but to us as well.
"We plan to bring our expertise and drive to help improve the stadium and enhance the experience for the supporters and staff for years to come.”
Image source, SNSControversy and VAR have been intertwined ever since its implementation in the Scottish top flight in October 2022.
From handball decisions to fouls and penalties, managers and fans alike have had grievances over the technology - and the length of time taken for decisions to be made.
With the 2023-24 season complete and the new campaign a number of weeks away, would you rather see VAR scrapped from Scottish football or persevered with?
Cast your vote here.
Dundee United have agreed terms with North Macedonian winger Kristijan Trapanovski, with the 24-year-old being a free agent after quitting Shkupi in his homeland. (Daily Record), external
Image source, SNSDundee United academy graduate Miller Thomson has signed a new three-year deal, keeping him at Tannadice until 2027.
The 19-year-old right-back played 15 times in the second half of last season, having spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Montrose in League 1.
“I’m delighted to get everything over the line," Thomson said.
"The gaffer has put his trust in me from day one - that’s helped my confidence and spurred me on to go and impress him."
Manager Jim Goodwin added Thomson "brought a completely different dynamic to the backline" with his pace and dribbling ability and says he is a talent United "hold high hopes for".
We asked you to name Dundee United's best cult hero signings - the player who showed up with little expectation (and perhaps ability) but won over the support.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Anon: I would say John Rankin or Paul Paton, both came with little expectation, especially John after Hibs. Both were outstanding for United and became fan favourites.
Derek: Erik Pedersen. Great attitude, skills and so enthusiastic.
Denis: Jon Daly is the most recent cult hero for United.
Scott: Morgaro Gomis, signed from Cowdenbeath as a total unknown and turned out to be immense. His ability was every bit as good as his passion. He had a cracker of a song as well.
Anon: Mine is Fran Sandaza. Scored some important goals but was otherwise a bit mad. Feed Sandaza he will score!
Anon: Jeando Fuchs. Did not expect much at all, yet a fantastic midfielder who gave his all.
Image source, SNSDundee United will begin life as a top-flight club with a trip to Falkirk in the opening game of the Premier Sports Cup.
The Championship winners travel to the League 1 champions on Saturday, 13 July, before hosting Stenhousemuir, who won League 2 last term.
Jim Goodwin's side then welcome Ayr United and round off their campaign at Highland League champions Buckie Thistle.
Falkirk v Dundee United - Saturday, 13 July (15:00)
Dundee United v Stenhousemuir - Tuesday, 16 July (19:45)
Dundee United v Ayr United - Saturday, 20 July (17:15)
Buckie Thistle v Dundee United - Tuesday, 23 July (20:00)
Image source, BBC SportScottish Premiership newcomers Dundee United are keen on Cheltenham Town full-back Will Ferry. (Courier - subscription), external
