The starter’s pistol has been fired. Dundee United’s summer business has started in earnest.
A waspish goal-getter from Down Under, Zac Sapsford.
A mountainous young centre-back who is fond of a crunching tackle, Iurie Iovu.
Two down, plenty to go.
United hope to have another three or four captures in the door by the time pre-season begins. More by the time the competitive action begins on July 24.
But while there is an urgency about the Tangerines’ business – and plenty of plates being spun – there is also an internal appreciation that a lengthy window lies ahead.
After all, the man who fired them to Europe last season, Sam Dalby, didn’t arrive until the last knockings of the summer transfer window.
Here, Courier Sport profiles the top priorities in the coming weeks – focusing on the most pressing issues (rather than areas where depth and competition are required, such as full-back).
Goalkeeper
Dave Richards, solid in the final two games of the Premiership season, has made no secret of his desire to cling on to the No.1 berth.
Already a hugely influential, popular figure in the dressing room, that is a laudable aim. And who is to say he won’t grab the gloves for keeps?
However, it would be churlish to ignore the fact that the genial Welshman has played just over 100 first-team games in his entire career and spent most of last term as understudy to Jack Walton.
Courier Sport understands Scotland U/21 international Ruairidh Adams is set to sign an extended deal with United but he is one for the future.
Jim Goodwin will want another goalkeeper to challenge for jersey and ensure competition and standards remain sky-high, just as they were last season. Pedigree and reliability will be key.
And it is pivotal the Tangerines get it right. The lessons of errant recruitment between the sticks remains writ large in the memories of 2022/23.
Centre-back
But the Terrors need another. A stopper.
Declan Gallagher, Kevin Holt and Emmanuel Adegboyega have all left the club in the last six months.
Iovu – capped four times for Moldova at the age of 22 – appears to be a player of some promise but he does little to fill the void of experience left by those departures.
Iovu, Sam Cleall-Harding and Ross Graham represent a relatively youthful pool of centre-backs – albeit the latter is now 24 years of age and boasts a maturity beyond even that.
At least one streetwise, quality defender would be a welcome addition.
Former St Johnstone loan ace Zach Mitchell is not currently an active target.
Midfield: Power and legs
The departure of Ross Docherty raised a few eyebrows, while seeing the likes of Allan Campbell, David Babunski and Lewis Fiorini exit was more predictable. Luca Stephenson has also gone – for now.
Richard Odada? Who knows what the future holds for him after a miserable first season at Tannadice. He has another year to run on his deal.
As such, there is a fair bit of rebuilding to be done to a sparsely populated engine room which only contains Vicko Sevelj and Craig Sibbald as experienced, proven options.
Although technical attributes are valued (Goodwin wants players who can use the ball when in possession), United are keen to bring mobility and physicality to the centre of the park.
This is perhaps the area where there is the biggest room for improvement compared to the recruitment of last season.
Campbell, Odada, Fiorini and Babunski were all disappointing to some degree, although the latter did contribute to United’s success.
The Terrors are understood to be close to securing reinforcements in this area.
Luca Stephenson
Courier Sport understands that United have been in talks with Liverpool as recently as this week regarding the future of Stephenson.
The player would be open to returning; the Reds were delighted with his progress in Scotland.
However, with just a year left on his deal with Anfield, there is lingering uncertainty regarding whether he will pen a new deal and be made available for loan again – or told to seek a permanent move.
The ball is in the court of the English champions.
And from their perspective, there is no rush.
English clubs return to training well after Scottish teams, while the player is currently on holiday in Greece. Contrary to some suggestions online, no announcement is imminent regarding his signing.
But he is very much a live target.
A little patience may be required.
Dangerous winger(s)
Glenn Middleton has departed, Meshack Ubochioma looks to be out of the picture and Kai Fotheringham was rarely utilised last term.
That leaves Kristijan Trapanovski, who is an undoubted talent but needs to combine his natural talent with more consistency and robustness.
Finnish flyer Juho Talvitie will not be arriving the Tangerines despite some reports crediting United with an interest in the Lommel winger; he is joining NAC Breda in the Eredivisie.
The Tannadice outfit made a tentative enquiry earlier this summer, but it went no further than that.
However, a wide man could be secured by next week as United continue to whittle down their shortlist to the top, viable targets.
Ultimately, two wingers could be required, albeit new signing Sapsford operated as a wide player in a front-three on numerous occasions for Western Sydney Wanderers.
While keen to bring pace and width to the side, it is understood that Goodwin also wants players who can cut inside, get shots away and attack the penalty box.
A No.9
Sapsford boasts a decent scoring record in Australia and arrives at Tannadice on the back of his most prolific A-League campaign – nine goals and four assists in 26 outings.
However, he has not always been deployed as an orthodox striker and doesn’t fit the profile of a successor to 15-goal Dalby, who joined Bolton Wanderers on a four-year deal earlier this week.
He is more akin to Ruari Paton, if considering like-for-like replacements compared to last season’s squad.
Owen Stirton will be given every opportunity to cement his place in the United first-team group in pre-season, while Jort van der Sande remains on the books.
However, a “traditional”, experienced No.9 – who can combine physicality with an eye for goal – is a notable void in Goodwin’s squad. And it is the hardest assignment of the lot. There’s nary a club in Scotland not looking for the same thing.
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