United eyeing US sister club

DUNDEE UNITED are forging plans to establish a lucrative new sister club in the US. The news emerged after Stephen Thompson yesterday revealed he will step down from his position as Tannadice chairman at the end of this season. And Sportsmail understands Thompson, United’s majority

shareholder, now intends to spearhead a £3million bid to enter an ‘umbrella’ club in the newly-formed National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). Established by former Chicago Fire chief Peter Wilt, the NISA plans to establish itself as the third tier of the United States Soccer Federation below Major League Soccer and United Soccer League. Previously linked with a £2.5m takeover of Australian club Newcastle Jets in 2015, Thompson has now switched his focus to American cities with high populations and no professional football clubs after a number of factfinding trips to the States. A director of Club 9 Sports, the Chicago sports consultancy previously involved in a bid for Rangers, Wilt last night refused to comment when Sportsmail asked him to confirm Thompson’s ambitious blueprint for a team in NISA. Announcing an end to his ten years as Tannadice chief, 51year-old Thompson said in a statement: ‘It has been an honour to serve the club. ‘I have always tried to achieve the best for the club. ‘The Scottish Cup win in 2010 was a high point in my and many other United fans’ life. ‘Relegation was a profound disappointment that will never leave me but the club is in the fortunate position of having a very strong board of directors and a financial robustness that is assisted by a number of benefactors who have been very supportive in recent years. ‘The most important factor right now is that Dundee United focus on winning games and securing a place back in the Premiership — without distraction about my position,’ added Thompson who took over as chairman in October 2008 following the death of his father, Eddie. United director Mike Martin is expected to become the club’s new chairman after securing a deal to purchase the 33-per-cent shareholding of former director Justine Mitchell — Thompson’s sister — at the end of 2017. Martin is also likely to play a leading role in a new parent company established to dovetail the financial fortunes of United and a new American operation. United are in their second season in the Championship. They lie second in the league, with last Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Morton leaving them 11 points behind leaders St Mirren.