Dundee United are delighted to announce the signing of Dario Naamo on loan from Admiral 2. Liga side SKN St Pölten until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
The deal, which includes an option to buy, is subject to both international and SFA clearance.
Born and raised in Finland, Naamo progressed through the fruitful youth system of Espoo-based outfit Honka.
He featured regularly for the club’s reserve side competing in the third tier before being given the nod to make his senior bow just one month after his 17th birthday.
The mercurial wingback quickly established himself as a regular fixture under Vesa Vasara despite his youth, with 2023 bringing success on an individual and collective level.
Naamo featured in every round as Honka reached the Suomen Cup Final for the first time in 15 years, while also securing a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League with a fifth-placed finish in the Veikkausliiga.
Our new number 22 concluded his breakthrough season with 30 appearances, two goals and an assist to his name.
Impressive displays on domestic duty brought international recognition for the flying Finn at Under-21 level, as he received a call-up to represent Huuhkajat against their Scandinavian rivals, Sweden, in November 2023.
After Honka’s descent into financial difficulties, Naamo made the switch to fellow Finnish top-flight side SJK Seinäjoki in January 2024 to team up with former Dundee United Opposition Analyst, Stevie Greive – who now occupies the hotseat at the OmaSP Stadion.
He ranked as the most effective ball-carrier amongst his peers for the second successive year, engaged in 126 defensive duels and 81% of his passes into the final third found their intended target, teeing up his teammates to find the back of the net on five occasions in the process.
An Austrian adventure beckoned for Naamo following a stellar stint in his homeland, with SKN St Pölten swooping to land his signature for the 2024/25 campaign.
The 20-year-old was an instrumental figure on the right flank for the Wolves as they jousted at the top end of the table, and netted a tremendous, long-range effort against promotion rivals SV Kapfenberg.
During his time in Mostviertel, he surpassed 6,500 minutes of professional experience.
Naamo arrives at Tannadice just two weeks after starring for Finland in the UEFA Under-21 European Championship, and is set to make his Terrors bow in tomorrow’s pre-season friendly against Arbroath.
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MATURITY BEYOND HIS YEARS
Upon the confirmation of our newest addition, Dundee United Manager, Jim Goodwin, commented: “Dario boasts maturity beyond his years having competed in senior football from the outset of his flourishing career.
“He personifies the modern-day wingback – energetic, combative and technically accomplished, with a desire to impact the game at both ends of the park.”
He continued: “Furthermore, he’ll provide both depth and quality to our ever-strengthening playing group, adding healthy competition to his position – a key asset of every successful squad.
“We’re excited to integrate him with the rest of his teammates and look forward to closely tracking his progression as a player and a person during his time at Tannadice.”
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