Dundee United sign whole new XI in January

There have been few more sides that were more active across the January transfer window than Scottish Championship outfit Dundee United, who also left plenty of their business until the last minute.

United coach Robbie Neilson is aiming to build his team ahead of a charge to win promotion back to the Scottish Premiership next season, with his side currently sitting third in the table, six points behind leaders Ross County.

However, supporters of the Tannadice outfit couldn’t have expected at Christmas time that little over a month later they would 11 new players to cheer on, but that’s exactly the hand they’ve been dealt after an unprecedented level of activity.

Prior to the flurry of Deadline Day activity, the team had signed six players in January, bringing in goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw, right-back Charlie Seaman, midfielders Morgaro Gomis, Ian Harkes and Aidan Nesbitt and striker Cammy Smith.

However, those players now face even more competition to get a place in the side than they would’ve initially anticipated, as another five players were brought into the club across Thursday. Neilson has clearly gone for experience in his pursuit of winning promotion, electing to sign players that have previously played in Scotland.

The day started with the signings of defender Matt Connolly, midfielder Calum Butcher and winger Peter Pawlett. Connolly previously played for Dundee United earlier in his career, while Connolly had a spell at Kilmarnock.

Pawlett was at Aberdeen before joining MK Dons, who United signed two players from on Deadline Day, also bringing in ex-Hearts striker Osman Sow, as well as Aberdeen defender Mark Reynolds on loan until the end of the season.

On the signings, manager Neilson said: "I know Peter (Pawlett) well and am delighted to have him here. His pace and direct style will be a great addition to our team, and he brings real quality.

"Calum (Butcher) will add strength and drive to our midfield and he has grown as a player during his spell back in England, and Matt (Connolly) is a strong defender and a leader. He brings great experience and an excellent attitude to the dressing room and pitch."

"Mark (Reynolds) is a quality defender and has great experience. He will be an important part of the squad both on and off the park. "(Sow) brings real quality and he is a proper striker who improves our options in the final third."