The summer of 2023 brought huge change at Dundee – a new league to prepare for, a new manager and, ultimately, a whole new squad.
Almost every player was out of contract following the Championship title win.
Ten would sign new deals but 17 players in total left Dens Park before the end of the summer transfer window.
But where are they now?
Courier Sport takes a look at how the ex-Dees are faring at their new clubs.
Ian Lawlor
The Irish goalkeeper was the first out of the door at the end of the season, returning to former club Doncaster Rovers after a long time sitting on the Dundee bench.
He has played 14 times for the club with injuries interrupting this season. Again he picked up an injury in a draw with Mansfield last week.
Doncaster have struggled in the bottom half of League Two this term, sitting 19th of 24.
Ben Williamson
The now ex-Rangers youngster impressed at times at Dens Park last season where he played 31 times in total.
He has spent the first half of this on loan at Partick Thistle, playing his final match in November before returning to Ibrox at the start of the month.
Just this weekend he left Ibrox permanently, signing an 18-month deal with Hamilton Accies in League One.
Kwame Thomas
Big striker Thomas made a key impact in his short time at Dens Park and he’s been a regular for Aldershot Town in the National League this season.
He has netted twice in 28 matches as they sit just outside the play-offs.
He’s not always been used as a striker, however! In August he remarkably replaced another ex-Dee striker in goal after No 1 Jordi van Stappershoef was sent off.
Thomas conceded once but later showed some talent with the gloves.
Barry Maguire
Also in the National League is Barry Maguire, on loan from Motherwell. He played 20 times for the Dee last term, mainly in central midfield.
In the summer he joined Kidderminster Harriers on loan for six months and has featured 17 times.
Harriers, however, sit rock bottom of the National League.
Ryan Clampin
Speedy full-back Clampin wasn’t able to make a big impact at Dens last term. This season, he’s also in the National League.
After being released by Colchester United, the 24-year-old has played 14 times for Eastleigh this season, helping them to their current mid-table slot.
He’s now a team-mate of another former Dee, Corey Panter.
Luke Hannant
Tricky winger Hannant showed real glimpses for Gary Bowyer’s side last season as he nailed down a regular spot after joining on loan from Colchester United.
Also released by Colchester, the 30-year-old is now at National League Gateshead where he has scored four times in 27 games as they vie for a play-off spot.
Lorent Tolaj
As previously mentioned, Swiss youngster Tolaj is a team-mate of Kwame Thomas with the two regularly used as a strike pairing at Aldershot.
And, occasionally, in goal.
The former Brighton man, however, has been among the goals this season – he’s got 16 in 31 for the National League outfit. That includes a strike against West Brom on Sunday in the FA Cup.
Aldershot are level on points with Luke Hannant’s Gateshead.
Jordan Marshall
Left-back Marshall has taken a different route this season, he joined Welsh champions The New Saints on a two-year deal in October.
Game time has been limited to three cup outings so far, however, as he’s struggled to dislodge first-choice left-back Chris Marriott.
TNS have won the Welsh title 11 times in the last 14 years and lead the division by 15 points in an unbeaten campaign so far.
Alex Jakubiak
Fans favourite Jakubiak stayed closer to home, joining up with old boss James McPake at Dunfermline.
The former Watford man, though, has struggled in front of goal for the Pars. It took 14 games for him to get off the mark, netting a double on December 30 against Ayr.
McPake’s men sit in mid-table in the Championship.
Paul McMullan
Speedy winger McMullan was a key man in Dundee’s title win last term and he almost made it two championships in the same calendar year.
Joining Derry City mid-season, the Candystripes were chasing down leaders Shamrock Rovers but had to settle for second spot.
That brings a place in Europa Conference League qualifying next season.
McMullan is yet to score for Derry but played 20 times in total, including in Europe. The new Irish season kicks off in February.
Cillian Sheridan
Major injuries disrupted Cillian Sheridan’s time at Dens Park and he was seen through the end of his rehab from a second Achilles tendon rupture beyond the summer.
In October he made his debut for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Championship after signing a short-term deal that ends this month.
He has been largely used as a late sub by Duncan Ferguson and is yet to score in nine appearances
Luke Strachan
Grandson of Dundee technical director and ex-Scotland boss Gordon, young Strachan headed out on his own in the summer.
He signed a two-year deal with Cove Rangers but is yet to feature for Paul Hartley’s side after requiring surgery to sort an ankle injury.
Paul McGowan
Dundee stalwart McGowan is also at Cove Rangers where he has been a regular under old Dens boss Hartley.
Gowser has played 20 times, scoring once, as the Aberdeen side sit third in League One after an impressive run of eight wins on the spin.
Ryan Sweeney
Rugged defender Sweeney captained Dundee to the title last season but left at the end of the season to return to English football.
He’s at League One Burton Albion, where he has played 25 times. Sweeney scored twice in December, the latter a 90th-minute equaliser at Charlton Athletic.
Burton, though, have struggled and sit just above the relegation zone in League One. Manager Dino Maamria was sacked in December.
Sam Fisher
Young defender Fisher also joined former boss McPake at Dunfermline after enjoying a good loan spell at East End Park last season.
He’s been a regular in the Championship for the Pars, though suffered two concussions in close succession recently with the second combined with a nasty facial injury.
Pierre Reedy
American Pierre Reedy was an odd signing in March. The midfielder made four appearances for the club before leaving in July.
He signed for Charleston Battery, a second-tier US side. They were beaten by Phoenix Rising in the USL Championship Final on penalties with Reedy an unused sub.
He’s now a free agent again after the Battery declined a contract option and released him in December after 13 appearances.
Jon McCracken
Goalkeeper McCracken made a positive start in goal this season for Dundee before Trevor Carson arrived on a permanent deal.
That saw the young Scot head back to Norwich before signing for League Two side Accrington Stanley on an emergency loan.
He’s gone on to play 13 times and in November was at the centre of a police enquiry after four vapes and cigarette lighters were thrown at him during a win over Wrexham.
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