Dundee United last night swooped to sign former Falkirk frontman Farid El Alagui just hours after it was confirmed David Goodwillie is heading back to Blackburn Rovers.
El Alagui (28) lit up the First Division with a 28-goal haul while at the Bairns before moving south to join Brentford in the summer of 2012. His contract with the Bees, currently leaders of England’s League One, is due to expire in the summer and he will be at Tannadice on loan until then.
Should the move work out as both partieshope then there will be a chance of apermanent contract being drawn up.
French-born of Moroccan descent, El Alagui could make a quick debut when United travel north to Inverness on Sunday.
He has been restricted to just one league start for Brentford this season but has still managed six goals in 18 games in allcompetitions and should be match fit.
El Alagui said: “I’m very pleased and I’m looking forward to play. I’m more than happy to come back to Scotland.
“From the first chat I knew it would be great to come here and play for the manager. I heard good feedback about him.”
He added: “I watched some clips and I was really pleased with the attacking football.”
With manager Jackie McNamaraconfirming earlier in the day Goodwillie’sloan will end and that Nadir Ciftci is injured, the Tangerines were short ofattacking options until this bit of business.
A delighted McNamara said: “This is the ideal time for us to bring in Farid.He scores goals, has strong aerial ability and will hold the ball up and allow his fellow attackers to get involved.
“We have moved quickly to secure him because there was interest from other clubs and I am delighted to sign him.”
Those other clubs are understood to have included Scottish Premiership rivals Ross County and McNamara added: “He will bring something a little different from what we have at the club and will enhance our attacking threat.
“You want someone coming in who can go and challenge for a place and raise the standard a little bit as well, not just be a part of the squad.”
United have also taken 17-year-old Northern Irish striker Aaron Duke (17) on trial from Linfield.