Dundee United have signed forward Roy O'Donovan from Sunderland on a season-long loan deal.
The 22-year-old will train with the United squad on Saturday and, subject to formalities, will be included in the squad to face Hamilton on Monday.
O'Donovan, a Ireland B international, joined Sunderland from Cork City in August 2007.
United boss Craig Levein said: "He is a very direct player with lots of pace and is a natural and proven scorer."
Levein has already signed Andis Shala from Mannheim, Warren Feeney from Cardiff City and Francisco Sandaza from Valencia to compensate for the sale of Noel Hunt to Reading.
"Although Roy can play wide right and midfield, I see him as a striker and I'm sure he'll be a big success in the SPL," the manager told United's website.
Roy is a player I know very well, having tried to get him from Cork before his move to Sunderland
Dundee United manager Craig Levein
"I'm also certain that United supporters will enjoy seeing him play for the team."
Levein revealed that O'Donovan could have been at Tannadice much earlier.
"Roy is a player I know very well, having tried to get him from Cork before his move to Sunderland," he said.
"In fact, he might have been one of my first signings for Dundee United, had it not been for interest in the player from the Premiership. I tried to obtain him on loan last season and am absolutely delighted to eventually get him to Tannadice.
"He'll benefit greatly from playing regular first-team football at the highest level in Scotland and therefore this deal is not only good for Dundee United but will also be to the advantage of the player and his club."
Levein said United had beaten off competition from clubs in England's Championship to sign O'Donovan, who failed to score in five starts and 14 substitute appearances for Premier League Sunderland.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?