Dundee United have signed Iraq midfielder Zidane Iqbal from Utrecht, with manager Jim Goodwin hailing him as a player of “real pedigree” who “is off the back of a successful World Cup”.
The 23-year-old, who came through the youth ranks with Manchester United, had a year left of his contract with the Dutch club and has signed for two years with the Tannadice club, with an option of another 12 months.
“We feel he adds something different and can occupy different positions within our midfield ranks,” Goodwin told his club website.
Iqbal, who has 28 caps, made his first-team debut for Manchester United as a late substitute in a Champions League match against Young Boys in December 2021.
But that was his only appearance for the Premier League club and he moved to Utrecht in 2023.
He made only seven appearances last season and has been a second-half substitute in two of their four matches this season, the latest being Sunday’s 6-1 home thrashing by PSV Eindoven.
Iqbal became the first player of Pakistani heritage to appear in a World Cup finals when he came on against Norway this summer.
He is an international team mate of United right-back Dario Naamo, who missed out on a place in the World Cup squad in the summer.
Iqbal said: “My conversations with the manager have been positive and I’m excited to meet my new teammates and the rest of the staff.
“Me and my family have seen the stadium and training ground today and that gives you that extra feel to the place and where I’m going to be playing every week.”