Dundee have snapped up Bulgarian international Plamen Galabov on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old has spent the last few years in the Israeli top flight before his contract at Maccabi Petah Tikva expired this summer.
The 6ft 2in defender becomes the fourth signing under new head coach Steven Pressley as the Dark Blues rebuild continues.
Galabov has turned out for Litex Lovech, CSKA Sofia and Etar in his homeland before moving to Israel in 2022 with Maccabi Netanya.
He moved from there to Beitar Jerusalem before signing at Maccabi Petah Tikva in January 2024.
He has five caps for the Bulgarian national side, making his debut in a Euro qualifier against Hungary in 2023.
Last season Galabov played 37 times for MPT last term, including in Europa League and UEFA Conference League qualifiers, but couldn’t prevent their relegation from the Israeli top-flight.
‘I want to challenge myself’
He told the Dundee FC website: “From my first impressions here it seems like everyone is like a family and it made me feel very warm.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone.
“Everything happened very fast, a week ago my agent told me of the interest from the club, I started to read more about the country and then I accepted very quickly this opportunity.
“After four years in Israel, I had found my comfort zone and when I found out about the interest from Dundee I wanted to come to Scotland.
“I want to challenge myself and see how far I can go.
“I always try to be a team player, for me it’s very important to try and help my teammates around me.
“As a defender, it is important to communicate a lot and to be calm as that helps the players around you.”
Galabov becomes Dundee’s first Bulgarian since fan favourite Kosta Gadzhalov left in 2018.
He has joined on a two-year deal, subject to a visa and international clearance. That won’t arrive in time for the right-sided centre-back to face Arbroath on Saturday.
Conversation