Dundee United

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Dundee United have signed striker Jort van der Sande from Dutch second tier side ADO Den Haag on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old, who represents Dutch municipality Bonaire at international level, has scored 13 goals in each of his past three seasons in the Netherlands.

“Jort’s arrival is an exciting one for the club,” Jim Goodwin told Dundee United’s website.

“His goal-scoring record in Dutch football speaks volumes about his pedigree, having been at the top end of the second-tier’s scoring charts on numerous occasions throughout the past decade.

“Linking up with team-mates whilst playing with his back to goal is also a pivotal strength of his game, one which will bring a different dynamic to our front line and have a positive impact on the versatility of the unit as a whole.”

Van der Sande has told United fans what to expect from him.

“I’m a tough player who likes to be in duels with defenders, create chances for my team-mates and, most importantly, score goals,” he said.

“Off the pitch, I also think this will be a really good fit for me – I love the country, the accent and the people, and that made this an even more attractive proposition.”

Kenya midfielder Richard Odada, the 23-year-old currently with Philadelphia Union, and Bonaire forward Jort van der Sande, the Den Haag 28-year-old, are at St Andrews finalising permanent transfers to Dundee United. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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While expecting more arrivals at Tannadice, former Dundee United captain Sean Dillon hopes to see academy products Ross Graham and Kai Fotheringham prove themselves in the top flight this season.

Centre-back Graham, 23, and winger Fotheringham, 21, had limited game time in the Premiership prior to the club's relegation in the 2022-23 campaign.

But the duo played their parts in last term's Championship-winning season and have both played in each of United's four recent League Cup group games.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Dillon said: "Fotheringham was great last year in the Championship and Graham has come through as well.

"So you're hoping they can really push on. The more experienced lads around them can help them get that level of consistency where they play week in, week out at the top of the game."

Dillon still expects "potentially five" more new faces to arrive in Jim Goodwin's side, who host rivals Dundee in their first league game of the season.

Despite "feeling the optimism" from their neighbours, Dillon is "hopeful United will do the business" in a blockbluster opener.

"There's a great buzz about it," he adds. "It'll be a great opener for both clubs. I don't think they could have picked a better game to kick off the season."

Dundee United are the Premiership team in focus on Wednesday's Scottish Football Podcast.

Here, The Courier's Alan Temple explains why Louis Moult's "unshakeable confidence" makes the striker invaluable for Jim Goodwin's side on their return to the top flight.

Click here to listen to more of the BBC's United season preview.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin fears shipping two goals to Buckie Thistle will cost them a place in the knockout stages of the League Cup.

United are top of their group with nine points from their four matches after a 5-2 win over the Highland League champions last night.

But Falkirk and Ayr could both overhaul the Premiership side if they beat Stenhousemuir and Buckie this weekend, leaving Goodwin facing an anxious wait to see if his side progress.

“I can’t fault the effort of the players, we are very much on a hiding to nothing in games like this," he told the club's website.

"The expectation is on us and the attitude and application of the players was there, on a difficult surface.

“But the two goals we concede are really poor, particularly the corner. It was a very good delivery but we managed to drop our runner and it was nearly a free header.

“As things stand we are top of the group but if Ayr United take care of business on Saturday and score three or more goals against Buckie that could be our chances of progressing gone.”

Den Haag striker Jort van der Sande has arrived in Scotland for talks over personal terms and a medical with Dundee United, who expect to unveil the 28-year-old as a new signing on Friday. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of today's Scottish football gossip here.

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

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Brandon Forbes says his first-team debut was "surreal" after a stunning free-kick earned Dundee United a 2-1 League Cup victory against Ayr United.

The 18-year-old came off the bench to curl home the winning goal from 30 yards, having missed a clear-cut chance earlier in the game.

Forbes signed for the Tannadice side from Thorn Athletic last year, and has been promoted to first-team training by Jim Goodwin during pre-season.

"It’s just surreal, that’s the word I have been using," Forbes told DUTV. "I don’t think I could ever do the same thing but that’s the beauty of a debut.

"That’s something I will remember for the rest of my life and I’m just glad that I could contribute and get the three points we needed.

"I should have scored the first chance from an open goal but as soon as I had the ball in my hands I knew I was going to shoot."

Dundee United are poised to sign 28-year-old striker Jort van der Sande from Dutch club Den Haag. (Sun), external

Declan Gallagher, 33, is eager to prove his critics wrong as he prepares to anchor Dundee United's return to the Scottish Premiership in defence. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin expressed his delight at midfielder David Babunski's Dundee United introduction after revealing a previous attempt to sign him for Aberdeen.

The former Barcelona youth graduate and North Macedonia international joined from Hungarian side Mezokovesdi Sport Egyesulet this week and made his first outing in United colours against Stenhousemuir on the same day.

It is a case of second time lucky for Goodwin, who tried to recruit the 30-year-old during his stint at Pittodrie.

"I have known David for about three years now," the United boss said. "I have built up a good network of contacts in eastern Europe.

"At [Aberdeen] we had done a good bit of business in that league with the likes of Bojan Miovski and Ylber Ramadani. David was one we also tried to get, but unfortunately we couldn’t make a deal happen.

"I don’t want to put too much pressure on the lad, but he has had a great education in the game at arguably the best academy in world football.

"The lads have been asking him about the certain players he has trained with over the years. He has got a nice picture of himself with Lionel Messi.

"So he has done things in the game that some of us could only dream of and you can see his technical ability. You can see what he brings, he is a very calming influence and will demand the ball in tight areas."

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Dundee United are "still very much a work in progress" despite looking more like themselves in their midweek League Cup group win over Stenhousemuir, says manager Jim Goodwin.

After losing 2-0 to Falkirk in their Group B opener, United got off the mark by beating their third-tier visitors 3-0 on Tuesday night.

They welcome Championship side Ayr United to Tannadice on Saturday.

"Last Saturday against Falkirk we didn't give a good viewing of ourselves at all," Goodwin said. "But Tuesday night was a lot more like what we are looking for.

"We are still very much a work in progress, a lot of new players still trying to understand different systems and what is being asked of them.

"But I think the fans that turned up on Tuesday night saw the quality the likes of David Babunski and Kristijan Trapanovski are going to bring to the group.

"Trapanovski with a couple of assists and getting the last goal and Babunski just oozes quality in the middle of the pitch, very comfortable in possession and is always looking to play forward, which is what you want from a midfielder."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland senior reporter

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before this weekend's League Cup group match with Ayr United at Tannadice.

Here are the key lines:

• Ryan Strain will have scan later on Thursday to determine the extent of a hamstring injury.

• Goodwin says it is too early to put a timescale on how long the right-back may be out for but described it as "a bitter blow".

• The United boss adds that new recruit David Babunski "oozes quality" and revealed he tried to sign him when he was in charge at Aberdeen.

• After admitting "we didn't give a good viewing of ourselves" in their opening League Cup group defeat at Falkirk, Goodwin said their midweek win over Stenhousemuir "was a lot more like what we are looking for".

• Kristijan Trapanovski, another new signing, scored and got two assists in that victory over Stenhousemuir, and Goodwin said his performance "should be one that excites the fans".

• When asked if he is looking to bring any more new faces in, Goodwin added: "We would expect some new players to come into the squad probably in the middle to the end of next week".

• He went on to praise the "terrific job" ex-Celtic captain Scott Brown has done since he took charge at Ayr.

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Dundee United face an anxious wait to find out how long summer signing Ryan Strain may be sidelined after the Australia international was injured during the League Cup win over Stenhousemuir.

The 27-year-old was forced off 10 minutes into the second half of the 3-0 win at Tannadice with a hamstring knock.

"The injury to Ryan has taken the gloss off the evening because we’re all concerned now about what exact injury he’s picked up," said manager Jim Goodwin.

"It’s definitely muscular and it looks like the hamstring. It’s not an injury he’s had previously.

"He tried to backheel the ball and he just felt a pop in the back of his hammy.

"We’ll see how it settles overnight. He’ll get a scan and we’ll probably get the results on Wednesday evening so fingers crossed it’s nothing serious."

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Young Dundee United goalkeeper Ruairidh Adams has joined third-tier Kelty Hearts on loan until January.

Adams, 20, spent the second half of last season at Edinburgh City, making 18 appearances in League One and even scored a last-gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Queen of the South.

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Dundee United have signed a player of "unquestionable" pedigree in North Macedonia midfielder and Barcelona youth graduate David Babunski, says boss Jim Goodwin.

Dabunski, 30, moves to Tannadice from Hungarian side Mezokovesdi Sport Egyesulet on a one-year deal, with United holding the option of a further 12 months.

The Skopje-born player spent seven years in Barcelona's famed 'La Mesia' youth academy, alongside the likes of Gerard Deulofeu and Adama Traore, before becoming a regular for the club's B team in Spain's second tier.

He joined Red Star Belgrade in 2016, winning the league title that season, then played under Ange Postecoglou at Yokohama F Marinos in Japan before spells in Romania and Hungary.

"David’s pedigree is unquestionable, having enjoyed a footballing education second to none with Barcelona," said Goodwin of the 15-cap midfielder.

"His subsequent career has demonstrated both his versatility to adapt to several different cultures, on and off the park, and his quality to remain at the top level.

"He’s a player we’ve had on our radar for an extended period of time, so to introduce him to the training group was extremely gratifying. I eagerly anticipate his positive impact on the squad."

Babinski, who is United's seventh summer recruit and joins fellow Macedonian Kristijan Trapanovski at Tannadice, says he "delayed the response to other offers" because he was so keen for the move to happen.

"I’m deeply grateful for the trust the club has placed in me," he added.

"Coming to a country where the football culture is massive and the standard of the league is high are some of the things that enticed me, and I can already feel the magnitude of the club."

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Manager Jim Goodwin is looking for a swift response to Dundee United's opening defeat to Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup.

The newly promoted Premiership side were booed off by travelling fans after being sunk by goals from Dylan Tait and Ross MacIver.

"There is a lot we need to work on tactically in terms of the system we are trying to adapt to," Goodwin told United TV.

"There are loads of lessons to be learned. We need to be better on the ball, play forward a bit quicker and with more running off the ball. Those basic elements, we were second best and it is something we will improve at."

United welcome Stenhousemuir to Tannadice on Tuesday.

"The good thing about this competition is the next game comes around pretty quickly where you can make amends and put things right," said Goodwin.

"In this group stage, you can afford to lose a game and if you win your next three it puts you in a very strong position.

"We just have to make sure we are better in every area of the pitch on Tuesday night."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin knows he has to improve the quality of a squad that struggled to shake off Raith Rovers before winning the Championship and promotion.

Having inherited Miovski during his time leading Aberdeen, he will be hoping another Macedonian, Kristijan Trapanovski, has a similar impact in Scotland as the 24-year-old winger arrives having helped Shkupi finish first, second then third in his domestic top flight in the last three seasons.

Hosts Falkirk, the League 1 champions, should provide a stern opening test.

• Read Clive's full piece here

United fans, we asked for your views on what would constitute a successful return to the top flight.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Steve: As long as we are above Dundee it will be a successful season.

Shaun: This season, the only objective is survival, which means 10th or above. The play-off won't cut it.

Gary: Given where we were just 14 months ago, most Dundee United fans would class a mid-table finish and a decent cup run this season as a huge success. Ultimately though, anything from tenth upwards would be very welcome!

Blake: Well, I think if we can beat Dundee and Ross County and maybe possibly get a draw or a good result against Hearts, I really believe we could be top-eight, hopefully we can finish sixth or seventh.

Steve: It's the first season in a long time we've had managerial stability. With up to seven new signings, this is a transitional season for the club but Jim Goodwin has said we're looking to push for a top-six finish. A trophy is probably beyond us but it's all about cementing our place in the league and looking to push on from that.

George: I would like to think that we can finish in the top-six but I would settle for comfortably staying in the league and ready to push on the following season. Best wishes to Jim and the team.

Anonymous: Success this season is staying up. A good season would, as ever, be top-six and finishing above Dundee would be a bonus.