Dundee United have completed the signing of striker Mark de Vries on a short-term deal.
Striker links up with Craig Levein for the third time
Dundee United have completed the signing of Mark de Vries on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
The Dutch striker has been released by Leicester City where he struggled for first-team football this season and spent two largely unproductive spells at Leeds United earlier in the campaign.
De Vries joined Leicester in 2005 as Craig Levein's first signing after he was named as the Foxes' manager, but he never really settled in English football and has now decided the time is right to move on.
The striker spent three years with Hearts before moving south and will be hoping to rediscover his form now that he has linked up with Levein for a third time.
Successful season
"As soon as I knew that Dundee United were interested, I was keen to return to Scotland," de Vries told the club's official website.
"I'm looking forward to working with the manager, Peter Houston (assistant manager) and Gary Kirk (coach) again.
"We've enjoyed successful times before and they know how to get the best out of me.
"The club is in a strong position at the moment, with some good players, and I hope I get the chance to contribute to a successful season."
Target man
Levein was also glad to have the opportunity to be reunited with the player and expects de Vries' experience to be vital over the coming months.
"This is a player who is well known to me and fits the profile of the type of strong, experienced target man that we've been seeking for some time," he said.
"We've had to be patient to get him on board but we're sure that the wait will be worthwhile.
"Subject to formalities, he will be included in the squad for our game against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday."
