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UNITED LAND BLACK CATS FORWARD
O'Donovan - Terrors loan move.
Dundee United have signed Sunderland forward Roy O'Donovan on a season-long loan.
The 22-year-old can also play on the wing but Terrors boss Craig Levein has earmarked him for a central role in his attack and is tipping the former Cork City player to improve his team as they bid for a top-three finish.
Big things were expected of O'Donovan when he became the eircom League's most expensive export 12 months ago, joining Sunderland for £500,000 from Cork.
However he made just four starts for Roy Keane's side, and the Black Cats boss will be hoping O'Donovan benefit from playing regularly in Scotland - just as current Black Cats forward Anthony Stokes did in a spell at Falkirk in his days as an emerging Arsenal player.
Levein said: "Roy is a player I know very well, having tried to get him from Cork before his move to Sunderland.
"In fact, he might have been one of my first signings for Dundee United, had it not been for interest in the player from the Premiership. I tried to obtain him on loan last season and am absolutely delighted to eventually get him to Tannadice.
"He is a very direct player, with lots of pace and is a natural and proven goalscorer. Although he can play wide right and midfield, I see him as a striker and I'm sure he'll be a big success in the SPL.
"I'm also certain that United supporters will enjoy seeing him play for the team."
O'Donovan was a prolific scorer in Irish football and could use the move to Tayside to bolster his chances of a senior cap under new international boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
"He'll benefit greatly from playing regular first-team football at the highest level in Scotland," Levein told the club's official website.
"Therefore this deal is not only good for Dundee United, but will also be to the advantage of the player and his club.
"I'd like to thank Sunderland for their ready co-operation on this matter and, once again, it's pleasing to see that Dundee United is recognised as a club where players can be developed and improved further."
