Why are United signing so many Antipodean players?

Jim Goodwin is scouring "every market" to get a head start on Dundee United's "busy" summer of recruitment. United already have two new recruits secured, with Australian striker Lachlan Rose this week signing a pre-contract to arrive in the summer alongside fellow A-League attacker, New Zealander Jesse Randall. The pair will add to United's Antipodean contingent which includes Zac Sapsford, Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Ryan Strain.

"It is obviously a market we follow closely," said Tannadice boss Goodwin. "The A-League is broadcast live now in the UK at the weekends and I watch a lot of the football on Saturday and Sunday mornings and the standard is really good. "Over the last 10 years there has been a significant investment in the A-League and the quality of player that is available over there fits within our financial structure.

"The Australian players I have worked with in the past have all been really strong characters, very professional. There are a number of Australian players in the Scottish Premiership at the moment that are currently performing very well. "And those players from Australia, New Zealand, they want the opportunity to come to Europe to raise their profile and to see where it takes them.

"We have been working hard behind the scenes with the recruitment. We are going to have a busy summer window and it is important we are planning and preparing for that in the meantime. "We are really pleased with the business we have done up to now and we will continue to look in every market, not just Australia, all across Europe and in the UK.