Dundee sign former East Fife and Real Sociedad defender

Dundee boss Paul Hartley has signed Spanish defender Julen Etxabeguren Leanizbarrutia on a three-year contract.

The centre-half spent last season with East Fife but previously had five years with Real Sociedad where he was a regular in their ‘B’ team and was also named in their Champions League squad in 2013/14.

The 24-year-old recently impressed Hartley during a short trial spell at Dens and will now join the Dark Blues for pre-season training next month.

Leanizbarrutia is the manager’s second new signing in just two days following the capture of former Stranraer goalie David Mitchell on Monday.

Hartley has embarked on a major rebuilding job this summer despite his side’s top-six finish last season with a whole host of new arrivals scheduled for the 2015/16 campaign including Daryll Meggatt, Kevin Holt, Kane Hemmings, Nicky Low and Rory Loy.