Dundee United

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has expressed his "unwavering confidence" that Iurie Iovu will strengthen his defence - even though the centre-half ended last season in the fourth tier of the Spanish league.

The 22-year-old, who has been capped four times by Moldova, has signed a two-year contract, with a club-held option of an additional 12 months, after leaving Croatian top-flight outfit Istra 1961.

Goodwin believes "committed and fearless" Iovu will be ideal for the physicality of the Scottish Premiership and that he will prove "a fantastic asset" financially in the long term.

The United boss pointed to his "dominant displays across three different European countries".

Iovu came through the youth ranks with his local club, eight-time Moldovan champions Zimbru Chisinau, but moved to Cagliari's academy in Italy at the age of 16.

Yet to make a first-team appearance for his club, he was nevertheless handed his international debut aged 19 in a World Cup qualifier against Austria in 2021.

The following summer, he switched to Venezia but was loaned out to Istra before making the move permanent in 2023.

This season, he made 16 appearances for the side who eventually finished eighth in the 10-team Croatian top flight but was sent on loan to Alaves' B side in January, starting 12 games as they finished eighth in the 18-team league.

Nevertheless, United point out that Iovu "ranked in the top two for aerial duel success rate and shots blocked per 90 minutes in the division for players aged under 23" in that first half of the Croatian season.

They add that he helped Alaves B win eight of their last 13 matches while on loan.

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Dundee United "fought off stiff competition from across the globe" to sign Australian forward Zac Sapsford from Western Sydney Wanderers.

The 22-year-old striker, who scored nine goals and provided four assists last term, has agreed a three-year deal at Tannadice.

The signing comes as a welcome boost for United following the news Sam Dalby, who was the club's top scorer last season while on loan from Wrexham, has joined Bolton.

"Zac was a player who piqued our interest after being flagged by the club's internal data models," said head of recruitment Ross Goodwin.

"And he impressed when we followed this up with more traditional scouting methods. These new processes combined with conventional, in-person talent ID will be pivotal in identifying new additions throughout the summer and beyond.

"We fought off stiff competition from across the globe for his signature, so we're incredibly pleased to have the deal over the line so early in the window, and we look forward to unveiling more exciting new signings."

Bolton Wanderers are set to beat League One rivals Wigan Athletic and Blackpool to land Sam Dalby on a free transfer after the 25-year-old striker left Wrexham following his loan to Dundee United. (Football Insider), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Dundee United have agreed a fee to sign 22-year-old Moldova centre-half Iurie Iovu from Croatian club Istra 1961. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Dundee United will face Championship newcomers Arbroath next month in a pre-season friendly that doubles as a testimonial for David Gold.

Jim Goodwin's side travel to Gayfield on Saturday 5 July (14:00 BST) to honour player-manager Gold, who has made over 300 Arbroath appearances.

United begin their pre-season schedule the previous weekend at former Tannadice midfielder Ray McKinnon's Brechin City as Goodwin's men build towards their Conference League second round qualifier on 24 July.

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Defender Declan Gallagher has joined relegated Ross County following his Dundee United exit.

The 34-year-old former Scotland international spent two years at United, helping the club to promotion then making 40 appearances last season as they finished fourth in the Premiership.

Gallagher has signed a one-year deal in Dingwall as County bid to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt following play-off defeat to Livingston.

County manager Don Cowie hailed Gallagher as a "fantastic addition" and added: "We have had a number of players depart and this marks the first step in rebuilding the squad.

"He brings a wealth of experience in the Scottish game and has recently won the Scottish Championship with Dundee United which is ultimately our aim for this season."

We asked for your views on what business Dundee United need to do the transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Zak: Ronan Hale at Ross County is a must, scored a good amount for a struggling side and has pace in behind which we have lacked for a while!

Cammy: We let half the team walk away and the recruitment team, it's a fresh start and a big summer. Most fans are expecting 15 new players but I'd go as far as saying we need 20 new players in. It's exciting times, but scary as you never know with United.

Jim: I'm becoming a tad concerned at the number of seasoned professionals who have now left. I cannot see any part of the team that now does not need some attention. New signings and loans will need to hit the ground running otherwise a season in the doldrums awaits us.

George: Feels like a complete rebuilding exercise is required following the departures. Some of which deserved to go. Hopefully we have another Sam Dalby and Luca Stephenson waiting in the wings. Better still the originals. We need some experience to help the younger players who are in and around the squad and the trust in their ability to be part of the team. European football should help attract ambitious players to the club. Whoever is signed has to give their all and get the supporters behind them.

Eddie: We need at least three strikers, one needs to be pacey. Two fast, tricky wingers, two experienced centre-backs, cover for both full-backs and three in central midfield, one a warrior and one creative at least, and a replacement for Jack Walton too. I make that 13 in to replace the 15 that have left. Anything else is a bonus.

Kenny: We've let go of so many first-team regulars, I half expect to see Luggy, Heggie and Eamonn Bannon being drafted in to fill the gaps. We need a significant rebuild. Retaining Stephenson would be a great start. Break the bank for Dalby - he's talismanic.

Oleksa: United shopping list - an experienced goalkeeper, cover for full-backs, two experienced centre-backs, a creative midfielder, right winger, big physical striker and a smaller strike partner with pace - not much to ask for!

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The transfer window opened on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.

Are there certain players you are desperate for Dundee United to sign, or a particular area of the squad that needs improving?

Or maybe holding on to a key player is your biggest priority? And what about sales - should there be more outgoings to follow the 16 departures?

We want your take on what business United need to do this summer.

Let us know here.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin wants to bring Luca Stephenson back Tannadice after the 21-year-old midfielder's loan spell and also tap further into the Liverpool development ranks. (Daily Record), external

Moldova international Iurie Iovu, who has been on loan at Deportivo Alaves B team from Croatian club Istra, is on a list of central defensive targets for Dundee United. (Daily Record), external

Bolton Wanderers have made a move to try and land Sam Dalby, with the striker also wanted by League One rivals Blackpool and Wigan Athletic after the 29-year-old turned down a new contract with Wrexham and was offered a permanent deal following his loan to Dundee United. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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Dundee United will begin their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Brechin City.

For the second consecutive year, Jim Goodwin's men will kick off their summer schedule by facing the Highland League side on Saturday, 28 June.

Last year, strikes in either half from Kai Fotheringham and Tony Watt ensured victory for the top-flight club.

The fixture will mark former United midfielder and manager Ray McKinnon's first match in the Glebe Park dugout as Brechin boss.

Dundee United are among clubs interested in a loan deal for Charlton Athletic defender Zach Mitchell after the 20-year-old impressed for St Johnstone last season. (The Courier, external - subscription required)

Dundee United owner Mark Ogren thinks the San Francisco 49ers' involvement with Rangers will increase revenue throughout Scottish football – and hopes it could be a step towards lifting the alcohol ban in stadiums. (The Athletic, external - subscription required)

Dave Richards, 31, aims to become Dundee United's first-choice goalkeeper next season. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Dundee United's impressive fourth-placed finish on their return to the Scottish Premiership has garnered plenty of plaudits.

So what do the stats say about how Jim Goodwin's men fared?

United were solid rather than spectacular, an effectiveness amplified by their results. Only twice did they win a league game and score more than two goals in the process. Eight of their 15 league wins were by a 1-0 scoreline.

Wrexham loanee Sam Dalby bagging 15 goals on his own certainly helped.

United racked up an xG (expected goals) of 48.53 - below the league average of 52.79 - so their 45 goals in the league is a slight underperformance and they outscored only the bottom two Ross County and St Johnstone.

Seven errors led to goals being conceded, too, the league's third-highest number.

A sturdy defensive unit was key to their success, however.

While Goodwin's side were content to cede possession - their average of 42.93% ranks them eighth in the Premiership - their clean sheet tally of 12 is bettered only by Celtic and Rangers, and goalkeeper Jack Walton impressed again on loan from Luton Town.

United overperformed compared to their xG against of 56.31 - pretty much bang on the league average - by conceding 54 goals, further suggesting a stout defence. And only four sides let in fewer goals than the Tannadice outfit.

Until the post-split fixtures, United never went longer than four games without a top-flight win.

On matchday seven in early October, they beat St Mirren 1-0 away and climbed to fifth. Remarkably, they would never be lower than that for the rest of the season.

Bolton Wanderers have joined Wigan Athletic and Blackpool in the race to sign ex-Wrexham striker and free agent Sam Dalby, who spent last season on loan at Dundee United. (Football League World), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

While Aberdeen winning the Scottish Cup was a blow to Dundee United - knocking them down from Europa League second round qualifying to Conference League - they shouldn't be disheartened.

European qualification was in the realms of fantasy this time last year for the Tannadice faithful, who had just watched their side successfully emerge from Scotland's second tier.

The Tangerines enjoyed a fine first campaign back at the top table, finishing fourth, but Jim Goodwin now has to guard against the dreaded 'second season syndrome'.

There's also a cautionary tale from the club's previous European foray. Back in 2022-23, United claimed a memorable 1-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar - before being spanked 7-0 in the return leg and making a dismal start to the domestic campaign, which culminated in relegation.

They will have plenty of positivity to take into new campaign but expectation levels have inevitably risen.

Matching - or exceeding - those lofty expectations will be tough, but Goodwin has shown he can embrace the challenges Scottish football throws up, and you fancy he will be ready to embrace what is on the horizon.

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Dundee United were all set for a place in the Europa League at the second qualifying round, with the second chance of Conference League preliminaries.

Then Aberdeen stunned Celtic to win the Scottish Cup.

That means the Pittodrie side are elevated from Scotland's fifth European representatives to the third. As a consequence, Hibernian and United shuffle down to fourth and fifth respectively.

Jim Goodwin's side are still guaranteed European football, but they will now go straight into the Conference League second round instead.

The draw will be on June 18, with the ties on July 24 and 31.

Dundee United defender Scott Constable, 17, has agreed a new two-year contract. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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As Dundee United's longest-serving and most successful manager, Jim McLean is a legendary figure at Tannadice.

The former United boss, who died after a long battle with dementia in 2020, led the team for 22 years from 1971 to 1993, guiding United to unprecedented success.

A top-flight winner in 1983. Back-to-back League Cup triumphs in 1980 and 1981. A Uefa Cup runner-up in 1987.

Despite that success, there was no love lost between McLean and an up-and-coming Duncan Ferguson, who played for three years under the ex-Tannadice manager.

Speaking to BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English, Everton legend Ferguson describes McLean as a "tyrant" and a "bully".

"I didn't like that," he says. "I didn't like the way he talked to me. I didn't like the way he talked to other people.

"There were senior players in the dressing room who were petrified of him. I've seen them crying their eyes out. I didn't care. He didn't bother me. I wasn't scared of him."

Following McLean's death in 2020, Ferguson was asked to go to his funeral.

But the former Rangers and Newcastle striker said it would not have been appropriate for him to attend, adding: "I didn't like the guy. He did nothing for me.

"He shouted at my mum on the phone because I wasn't in my digs. Mum's crying her eyes out. I didn't hate him. I don't hate anybody, but I didn't like him."

Read more: Big Dunc - From Barlinnie hell to Goodison heaven

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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Departing Dundee United captain Ross Docherty is ready to prove his Premiership pedigree once again and hopes advice from a podiatrist has put an end to recent injury problems.

The 32-year-old helped the Tannadice team finish fourth on their return to the top flight but made just 14 league starts.

The former Ayr United and Partick Thistle midfielder, who led United to the Championship title in the previous campaign, missed most of October, November and March due to various niggles.

"It's obviously frustrating and I can totally understand why everyone else was frustrated as well," he said.

"But I want to put it out there that I was trying my best and doing a lot off the pitch to try and get myself right. It was only in the last few months that we managed to get to the bottom of a few things and get that run of games."

One of the unexpected remedies came when a podiatrist advised him to get his feet remeasured.

"Long story short, I was wearing shoes that were a bit too small and it was kind of killing my calves and hamstrings and stuff like that," explained Docherty.

"We ended up getting the right size of shoe for a start, but also got custom made in-soles. So we managed to get to the bottom of it but maybe a bit too late.

"I'm a wee bit ashamed to tell that story to be honest but, touch wood, that was what was affecting me for so long and I think especially from the last month or two, it's the best I've felt since I've been at United and it gives me that confidence to go and put it right somewhere else by playing and proving myself again.

"I'd love to stay in the top flight but I'll explore any option that's put in front of me."