Dundee United have unveiled Italian defender Daniele Chiarini as their latest signing.

Chiarini this month left Partick Thistle after United's Scottish Premier League rivals failed to match his wage demands for a long-term contract.

The 23-year-old, once on the books of Udinese and Fiorentina before moving to Serie C2 side Faenza, was impressive in his 14 appearances for Thistle after arriving in Scotland as a free agent in October.

United have moved quickly after Chiarini's departure from Firhill and manager Paul Hegarty secured his signature on a one-and-a-half-year deal on Friday morning.

We will keep working and will be monitoring Andy's situation Dundee Utd boss Paul Hegarty

Chiarini becomes Hegarty's second signing after the capture of striker Billy Dodds from Rangers two week's ago.

Any move for Bradford City defender Andy Tod has been put on the back burner while Hegarty assesses his options.

The fomer Dunfermline Athletic captain has been sidelined by the Valley Parade club's financial crisis.

Another appearance for Bradford will trigger a clause in 31-year-old Tod's August 2001 transfer that will result in the English First Division club owing the Pars another �25,000 they cannot afford.

Hegarty said: "We have had Andy Tod watched and I was keen to take another look at him.

"The weather has been terrible down here and the freezing conditions have meant I've been unable to take in any football.

"But we will keep working and will be monitoring Andy's situation."

United will hold talks with Charlie Miller (right)

Tod is contracted until the summer of 2004, but Bradford may be open to offers instead of leaving Tod playing for their reserves.

Hegarty has a long list of possible signing targets for the transfer window but will also have to make a decision about the future of Charlie Miller.

The former Rangers and Watford midfielder can be influential, but there are constant fears about the fitness of a player often accused of wasting his talent as a result of a less than professional personal life.

Miller is out of contract in the summer and United chairman Eddie Thompson appears keen to retain his services, although the club are unlikely to want to substantially increase his terms.

Thompson said: "Charlie has been told we would like him to stay and he has said he would like to stay.

"We've had no approaches for Charlie and, at this point in time, we are not interested in any approaches."