The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
United swoop for Dutch midfielder Continued on page 50
McKinnon keen to sign Briels after trial spell
Dundee United are expected to sign Dutch midfielder Jordie Briels today.
The 25-year-old former Fortuna Sittard player has returned to the Netherlands to prepare for the switch to Scotland and on his return will agree a deal with the Tangerines.
Briels has been involved in United’s pre-season build-up and now looks likely to make his competitive debut against Raith Rovers in the opening Betfred Cup Group C tie at Tannadice on Saturday.
Tangerines boss Ray McKinnon said: “Jordie has done really well for us during his trial here and is really fit and aggressive.
“We are really pleased with him and he would be a good addition to our 18-man squad.
“He is the right age and maybe a bit different to what we have.
“He is a hard-working, box-to-box midfielder who likes to tackle and has high energy. He should complement the players we already have.”
United are also in the market for a goalkeeper and they could now widen their scope to include more than just on-trial Turkish shot-stopper Deniz Mehmet.
It is understood that firstchoice goalie Cammy Bell is among a group of United players who are carrying injuries so any new face would also be a candidate to face Raith.
McKinnon said: “We have a few niggly injuries and I’d say there are three or four struggling just now.
“That has stretched us a bit and we really need to strengthen.”