NICK IS IN A DREAM WORLD AT UNITED

DUNDEE UNITED new boy Nick van der Velden said last night he is thrilled to be living his long-held dream to star in Scotland. The highly-rated attacker, who made his debut as a secondhalf substitute in Tuesday’s 6-1 Betfred Cup rout of Cowdenbeath, has been tipped to make a big impact after joining United from Dutch club Willem 11. Van der Velden, 34, has spent his entire career in the Dutch Eredivisie but is excited to start a new adventure in Scotland, beginning with today’s trip to Inverness Caley Thistle. He said: ‘Scotland was always one of those places where I wanted to play. ‘I played for 13 years in Holland. Now this is a dream for me to come to a foreign country. Not just as a football player, but as a person. ‘Moving to a different country will mean I am experiencing a new culture. I think this is the perfect club for me.’ Van der Velden admits he was sold on the switch to Tannadice once he’d spoken with former United striker and fellow Dutchman Mark de Vries. ‘I know Mark quite well and he told me the people in Scotland are amazing,’ he said. ‘He made me feel very good about coming here. That’s what made me make this choice.’