Australian Internationalist Signs On

Subject to international clearance, Dundee United today announced the signing of Australian defender Ryan McGowan. The 25-year-old joins the Terrors after signing a contract until the end of season 2015/16. Ryan has been performing in the Chinese Superleague with Shandong Luneng Taishan for the last two years, winning the Chinese FA Cup in 2014. He has built a strong reputation within Scottish football after spending seven years at Heart of Midlothian FC where he won a Scottish Cup Medal following the 5-1 victory over Hibernian in 2012. McGowan has scored in both his cup final victories. Since making his Australia international debut in 2012 against Scotland, Ryan has played 12 times for the Socceroos and starred at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. United Manager Jackie McNamara said, “Ryan is a tough, strong and excellent footballer who will improve us defensively. He is a big lad who is strong in the air and this will impact in both defensive and attacking scenarios. He is a strong personality which is important for me. "I am delighted to be able to bring him to United because other clubs were after him. Players see our club as a great place to show off their talent and enjoy playing football. This signing makes us stronger defensively and that was something I was keen to address in this transfer window.” Ryan said, “It is great to be back in the Scottish Premiership and I am excited about the challenge of being a Dundee United player. When I moved to Shandong Luneng Taishan, I believed I would return to Scottish football one day and for it to be here at Tannadice is fantastic. “My time in China was a great experience but I look at what we can achieve here at Dundee United this season and I want to play a part in helping the club reach its goals.”