Dundee snatched new signing Randy Wolters from under the noses of Dutch top-flight outfit ADO Den Haag.
The 27-year-old winger signed a two-year deal at Dens on Thursday night to become new boss Neil McCann’s fourth capture of the summer.
And that news will be met with disappointment back in one part of Wolters’ homeland.
His most recent permanent employers were Go Ahead Eagles but he finished last season on loan at Den Haag.
When they reported back for pre-season training earlier this week the capital club confirmed they wanted to make his switch permanent.
Problems with their budget, however, meant they had been forced to delay the firm offer of a contract, though they had expressed confidence that situation would be sorted before the start of the Dutch season in August.
Dundee were also speaking to the player and have now made the most of the uncertainty in the Netherlands capital.
Wolters, whose career kicked off at Utrecht and has also included spells at the likes of FC Emmen and Den Bosch, will be handed the task of providing a supply of chances for the central strikers at Dens.
More signings are set to follow at Dens in the run up to the League Cup kick-off at Raith Rovers on July 18.
High on the manager’s list of wants are likely to be a centre-half and a goalkeeper to provide competition for No 1 Scott Bain.
The need for a central defender is based largely on the fact it will be well into the new season before there is any prospect of either James McPake or Julen Etxabegueren returning from their long-term injury absences.
McPake has been out since January last year with a dislocated knee, while Etxbegueren snapped an Achilles at the beginning of March.
And Neil has made it clear both will be given all the time they need to get back to full fitness.
“James is early in his rehab, so he is going to be a wee while,” he said,
“Jules is another one who needs to be taking time because the Achilles is a horrible injury.
“I won’t be pushing either of these boys because they need to take all the time they need and be sure they are ready when they do return.”
With Dundee Colts and Dundee United at home in the Irn Bru Cup first round next month, there will be discussions over who’ll play when.
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