Former Tannadice hero Noel Hunt is backing Richie Ryan to be the latest in a long line of Irish success stories at Dundee United.
The Reading striker keeps close tabs on football in his homeland, as well as at his old club. So he was thrilled that United beat off competition from Championship side Peterborough to capture the 26-year-old.
Hunt is in regular contact with members of the Irish contingent at United, and he believes they’ll help Ryan settle when he crosses the water in a few weeks’ time.
He will soon join the United squad for training and could make his debut against Aberdeen on January 2.
Hunt said: ”I’m sure Richie will be an excellent signing for United. He has been getting rave reviews back in Ireland, so the time is right for him to move on to his next challenge in the SPL.
”United have a really good Irish connection. Signing Irish boys have served them well in the past and Richie should only add to that.
”The Irish League is similar to the SPL in the way that it is physical and you have to be ready for that. But I’m sure Richie will handle that no bother and show what a good player he can be in Scotland.
”It will help enormously the fact that there are some fellow Irish guys there already, so he should settle in quite quickly. Once he does, he’ll go from strength to strength.”
Ryan helped Sligo lift the FAI Cup for the second time in as many years. The Irish season is over but he has been given a few weeks’ holiday before starting his United career and Hunt believes he’ll be in good condition to hit the ground running.
He added: ”Richie will just have had a tough season in Ireland but he’ll be absolutely buzzing at the prospect of moving to Tannadice. I’m sure he’ll be having a wee break right now before getting down to all the hard work with United and getting to know all his new team-mates.
”The fans will look forward to seeing him as well. It’s always nice to have a new signing to see just after Christmas. They always welcome new signings and they were brilliant with me when I arrived at the club, so they will be the same with him.”