Dundee United

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Ross Graham has signed a two-year deal to extend his stint as Dundee United's longest-serving current player.

The defender - dubbed the 'Blairgowrie Baresi' by supporters - made 24 appearances in last season's title-winning campaign and regained his first-team place in the closing months amid injuries to Declan Gallagher and Kevin Holt.

Graham, 23, made his United debut six years ago and is now sticking around at Tannadice until 2026, with the option of a further year.

He told the United website: "I’m buzzing to finally get this over the line - I love the club, the city and the fans and it felt right to continue my journey here.

"Last season was amazing to bring the club back to where they belong, it was really special to be a part of.

"The gaffer has a really good project brewing here that I’m looking forward to being a part of."

Manager Jim Goodwin, who has also secured Louis Moult and Holt on extended deals, said: "Ross has shown maturity beyond his years ever since my arrival to the club.

"Not only does his impeccable performance level speak for itself, but his attitude on a day-to-day basis, even when out of favour, was flawless."

Players come and go, but sometimes a new face will arrive and win the hearts of supporters unexpectedly.

Who's the lesser-remembered player that showed up at Dundee United with little expectation and perhaps had more passion than talent, but turned into a hero loved across the fanbase?

Give us your shout. , external

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Chief executive Neil Doncaster says crowd figures are "hugely promising" after the SPFL broke its attendance record for the second year running.

Over 5.15m supporters took to the stands to watch their side across all SPFL competitions in 2023-24, covering the Premiership, Championship, League 1, League 2, League Cup and the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The year-on-year figure marks an increase of 64,122 on the season prior's record high, when the number of people attending SPFL matches surpassed 5m for the first time.

A total of of 4,746,052 fans attended games across the four divisions, with Premiership matches attracting 3,760,765.

Scotland continues to have the best attendances figures per capita across its top four divisions in Europe with 21.3 per 1000 people - 65% ahead of second-placed the Netherlands.

Doncaster said: “After topping five million fans across an SPFL season for the first time in season 2022/23, it is hugely promising to see attendances growing even further this season.

“Our supporters are renowned across the world for their dedication and passion and regularly record the highest per capita attendance in Europe."

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Dundee United will face Championship sides Ayr United and Falkirk as well as Stenhousemuir and Buckie Thistle in Group B of the Premier Sports Cup next season.

The group stage gets under way on the weekend of 13-14 July and wraps up on 27-28 July.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up join European participants Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren in the last 16 on the weekend of August 17-18.

Click here to view the draw in full.

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"A great changing room, brilliant coaching staff and feel-good factor" at Dundee United made it "an easy decision" for Kevin Holt to extend his contract at Tannadice.

The defender, who played a key role in the club's promotion back to the top flight, triggered an extension in his deal which will now run until the summer of 2025.

The 31-year-old's performances in the second tier merited a place in the PFA Championship team of the year.

"I'm delighted to get this over the line," Holt said. "I had a great season last year and I'm excited to try and build on that in the Premiership."

Manager Jim Goodwin says Holt "will continue to be a key figure" at the club.

"Kevin had exactly the desired impact upon his arrival at the club," Goodwin added.

"He was one of several senior figures who could easily have received the captain's armband last summer.

"His defensive record throughout 2023-24, 15 clean sheets in 30 league appearances, speaks volumes about his importance to the side."

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Former Tannadice defender Charlie Mulgrew is thrilled with Dundee United's promotion and says they are a club that "deserves to be in the Premiership".

Mulgrew - who returned for a second spell at United in 2021 and retired from playing in the wake of their relegation - says adding top-flight experience to the squad this summer could be key for Jim Goodwin after the Irishman steered the club back up at the first attempt.

“Delighted for them," Mulgrew, 38, told BBC Scotland. "It's a great bunch of players and staff there that I knew were working really hard.

"The manager was working really hard to bring players in, get the squad right and balance the books. The main aim was always promotion and they’ve done that.

"It’s a club that deserves to be in the Premiership. They probably need a few signings in, players that are proven in the Premiership and suit the manager’s style. There’s no reason why they can’t do that.”

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Louis Moult says it was a "no-brainer" to sign a one-year contract extension after helping Dundee United bounce back up to the top flight.

The English striker, 32, was named Championship player of the year after netting 20 goals in 39 appearances in his debut season at Tannadice to put injury troubles behind him.

Moult has now triggered an extension to stay until summer 2025.

“I’m delighted to remain here for next season - from the minute I joined, I’ve really enjoyed myself," he said.

“Everything that comes with this football club, the family feel, fanbase, area, connection with the local community, made it a no-brainer of a decision. It was never even up for discussion in my mind.

“I was pleased with my contribution to last season but I’m not done yet - I still have that fire in my belly to keep proving people wrong. I can’t wait for next season.”

Manager Jim Goodwin hailed Moult's "remarkable" goal return and said keeping him for the club's Premiership return next season was "a crucial part of our plans".

Having already triggered a year's extension to his Dundee United contract, Craig Sibbald has agreed a new deal until summer 2026 after the 28-year-old midfielder helped them win the Scottish Championship and return to the top flight. (Daily Record), external

Dundee United have missed out on a potential sell-on fee after 26-year-old midfielder Jeando Fuchs decided to leave Peterborough United under freedom of contract. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

David Wotherspoon, the 34-year-old former St Johnstone midfielder who joined Dundee United on a short-term contract from Inverness Caledonian Thistle in January, has confirmed that "my journey with the Tangerines ends here" after promotion back to the Scottish Premiership. (The Courier), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Jim Goodwin has been named the Championship manager of the month for April after guiding Dundee United back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

The Tannadice side went undefeated last month, streaking away from Raith Rovers to clinch the second tier title.

Goodwin's side put five past Queen's Park, before sticking four beyond Morton in two crucial away trips.

Chris Mochrie's late strike then sparked jubilant scenes in the city of discovery as United beat Ayr and all but secured promotion.

A goalless draw at Airdrie couldn't stop the celebrations as they were confirmed as league winners.

"It's a nice way to finish the season on a personal note, but it's not an individual game - you can't win anything on your own," Goodwin said.

"I reiterate my comments from earlier on in the campaign - that awards like these are for everybody at the football club as it would not be possible to succeed without their tireless efforts behind the scenes."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland

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Jim Goodwin admits it was "relief" as Dundee United were crowned winners of the Scottish Championship, bouncing back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

United were expected to canter to the league title - they did win with two games to play - but have suffered a few surprise defeats on their ascent back to the Premiership.

“Speak to anyone in the game, when you achieve something there is a level of celebration but more often than not, the main emotion is one of relief," Goodwin said.

“There has been a lot of pressure on us as a group this year. We were big favourites before a ball was kicked at the start of the season. Pressure can bring a lot of anxiety as well, particularly from the younger players.

“I thought they handled it particularly well. We had a great first half to the season, a mini blip at the start of the third quarter, but the group and the staff have shown character to go on the run we have been in the last four or five games."

It remains to be seen what shape the United squad will be in, as they have 11 players out of contract in the summer, while another four loan players will re-join their parent club.

“We have been quite optimistic behind the scenes in planning for being back in the Premiership. A lot if that work has taken place already and will be ongoing for the next few months to get a squad that’s capable of competing.

“Without getting too far ahead if ourselves we have a huge job in our hands this summer. We have got a big rebuild on our hands.

“I think it’s exciting. It’s an opportunity for me to put my own stamp on things. I quite enjoy the rebuild process. I’ve had to do it numerous times in years gone by.

“It's the most important job at any football club, the summer transfer window, and it's vital you get the signings right and they have the right profile and fit within the way you want to play."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's Friday night clash with Airdrieonians live on BBC Scotland.

Here are the key points:

• He celebrated all but winning the title last weekend but admitted the "main emotion is one of relief".

• Summer plans are already in place, although United "have a huge job on our hands" with a lot of players out of contract.

• He will sit down with chairman Mark Ogren next week to agree his budget, adding that newly-appointed head of recruitment Michael Cairney will be a huge asset in hunting for new players.

• Goodwin is looking forward to rebuilding his squad for the Premiership as it's "an opportunity to put my own stamp on things".

• He says Airdrie are one of the best football teams in the league and praised manager Rhys McCabe.

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Tony Watt says he thought he'd be the "first on the chopping board" when he returned to Dundee United, but is delighted to have helped his side back to the top flight.

The striker was full of praise for manager Jim Goodwin, who he says has proved been a "credit" despite sections of the support venting frustration throughout the campaign.

“People have been writing us off, but the boys have been brilliant," he told BBC Scotland.

"You see social media and people going mad the manager, but he’s so positive. He’s been a credit for us, I think he’s been the driving force for us.

“The manager had a clear out. I came back and the manager had faith in me. I was the easiest one to put on the chopping block. I was the first person I thought the manager was going to get rid of."

After their 1-0 win over Ayr United, the Tannadice side have all but sealed the Scottish Championship title, and Watt plans to make the most of the celebrations.

“What a group of boys," he added. "They’ve been sensational. We’ll go and have fun for a couple nights, a smile and a beer or two.

“I made plans that were dependent on the result, and I was embarrassed at half-time thinking I might need to cancel the plans.

“But we’ll have tonight and Dundee and then enjoy a few days. You need to let loose, you can’t be uptight all year. We’ll savour the moment."