Dundee United are set to make Northern Ireland international Michael Forbes their latest summer signing. The Tannadice club has beaten off interest from St Johnstone, English League One, and the Netherlands to land the central defender.
The 22-year-old, subject to a medical, is set to sign a two-year deal with an additional 12-month club option. Forbes will go out of contract with West Ham United at the end of the month.
International Debut and Career Path
The defender made his international debut against Finland back in 2023. He is hoping that playing regularly in the Scottish Premiership will help force him back into Michael O’Neill’s plans.
Forbes is left-sided and will arrive as one of the quickest players in the Scottish top-flight. He will fill the void left by Krisztian Keresztes' departure at the end of his loan.
Jim Goodwin's Persistence Pays Off
Jim Goodwin has been tracking Forbes for several weeks and his perseverance has now paid off. Forbes played for West Ham United in a Europa Conference League game against FCSB in 2022. He has since had loan spells at Bristol Rovers, Colchester United, and Northampton Town last season.
Summer Business at Dundee United
Goodwin has done a large chunk of his summer business already. He has signed midfielder Dylan Tait from Falkirk and keeper Jack Walton returns on a permanent basis from Preston. Deals have also been done to sign New Zealand’s World Cup star Jesse Randall, Lachlan Rose, and Joshua Rawlins. All three come in as free agents from the A-League.
United have also asked about Hungarian under-21 midfielder Bence Babos from Videoton and Swedish winger Hugo Ahl at MFK Zemplin Michalovce.
United midfielder Julius Eskesen is also on the radar of Swedish club GAIS. He could exit Tannadice this summer.
