Dundee boss James McPake fought off competition from Premiership clubs to capture a player he rates as a natural goal-scorer, Danny Johnson from Motherwell.
The striker signed a two-year deal with the Dark Blues yesterday and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s Betfred Cup game with Inverness at Dens.
The English front man began his career as a youth at Middleborough and had a spell in Spain when he was 18 with Real Murcia.
Johnson also played for a host of English clubs before joining Gateshead in 2015.
He netted 53 goals in three seasons with the National League side before being snapped up by Motherwell last summer, netting eight times for the Steelmen before Christmas.
Now, he will continue his career at Dundee with McPake understandably pleased with his decision to opt for the Dark Blues.
The manager said: “We’re delighted to finally get it done. It’s one which we’ve kept pretty quiet and in the background.
“There was interest from other teams to be fair.
“Danny’s a natural goal-scorer and they are hard to come by these days. He’ll be in the squad for Sunday which is great for us.
“We’ve watched a lot of him and, at the same time, I spoke to a lot of people about him and we were told good things.
“In actual fact, he was a name that came up when I was just a week or so into the job.”
McPake added: “Sure, it was a tough one because he still had a year left on his deal at Motherwell and he had other Premiership clubs chasing him and the chance to stay in that league.
“So we are delighted to get him in.
“It wasn’t a tough sell but we had to tell him exactly what we are wanting to do here and we are glad he chose us as I believe he will get goals.
“That’s something he has done throughout his career at whatever level he has played at.
“He is hungry to come to Dundee and do that.
“He offers something different to what we have and he is one the fans will like as well.”
McPake admitted that despite Johnson’s arrival, he is still looking to add at least one more striker to his squad.
Aberdeen’s Stevie May was someone he tried to lure to Dens but it seemed at the start of the week that he had lost out to St Johnstone.
However, May will not now be returning to the club where he started his career after a deal at McDiarmid fell through at the last minute although McPake admitted he was not sure if Dundee’s original offer to the player still stood.
McPake said: “I heard it was done at St Johnstone and then I heard differently.
“I haven’t changed from where I was the other day – we made him a very, very good offer to come to the football club.
“I am not sure what has happened in the last couple of days but am I looking to add another striker? Yes, at least one, two possibly.”
He added: “I’m not sure if the offer (to May) is still on the table. I really don’t.
“It seemed as though he had signed for St Johnstone but I’m only going by what I’m reading in the press.
“As I say, I’m not really sure what the situation is so we’ll just need to wait and see with that one.”
McPake’s attention is now fully focused on tomorrow’s game with John Robertson’s Inverness.
The Dark Blues are determined to make it through to the knockout stages of the Betfred Cup with the last-16 draw due to be made at Dens after the final whistle.
McPake said: “I know John Robertson from when he was my manager at Livingston and have a lot of respect for his team.
“They are much more than just a big, strong side. Of course, they are that but they can play as well with some very good players.
“So we’re expecting a very tough match in every regard.
“We’re looking forward to playing at Dens Park again. The pitch looks great and hopefully we can put on a show for the fans and get the result we’re looking for on the day.”
Andrew Davies and Jamie Ness will miss out through injury but Tosh Todd returns to the squad.
