Tangerine kids pen new deals

FOLLOWING a week of departures, there was news of players staying put at Dundee United as four of their young stars penned new deals.

Scott Allardice and Gavin Ritchie have signed up for another year while Louis Appere and Josh Donaldson have secured contracts until 2020.

Boss Csaba Laszlo said: “I am happy to have these young players signed.

“I believe all have the potential to be first-team regulars for Dundee United and if they show they want it and continue to show dedication and hunger to succeed, then they can be a success at United and progress into the first-team match-day squad.”

Of the quartet, midfielder Allardice – who can also operate at centre-half – has most experience at first-team l evel, having appeared 18 times.

He ended the season on loan at East Fife, f or whom he turned out on 11 occasions.

Striker Appere made his first-team debut against Cowdenbeath in the Betfred Cup l ast August while defender Gavin Ritchie came in to face Linfield in the Irn-Bru Cup in October 2017.

Goalkeeper Donaldson was back-up to Harry Lewis at the end of the season after first-choice Deniz suffered a serious knee injury.

Meanwhile, as the overhaul of the first-team squad gathers pace, Dunfermline striker Nicky Clark is the latest player to be linked with a move to Tannadice.

The 26-year-old is out of contract in a few weeks and is interesting a number of clubs, meaning his two-year spell at the Pars could be coming to an end.

Clark scored 26 goals last season including one against United when the teams drew 1-1 in Dundee back in March.

Scott Allardice has signed a one-year contract.