Dundee United have signed keeper Mark Birighitti from Central Coast Mariners. The A-League club announced in the early hours of Tuesday morning that the 31-year-old shot-stopper is heading to Tannadice for an undisclosed fee.
He will become new boss Jack Ross ' third capture of the summer following the arrivals of Dylan Levitt and Steven Fletcher. Ross is preparing his side for a Europa Conference League third round qualifier against either AZ Alkmaar or Tuzla City and has now added a replacement for Benjamin Siegrist after he departed as a free agent to join Celtic.
As well as several clubs in Australia, Birighitti has previously played for Swansea City and NAC Breda, with Mariners chief Richard Peil admitting last week that the keeper's departure has left him "shattered". It's believed the clubs agreed a six-figure fee for the experienced star and that he was keen to move to the Scottish Premiership, despite Mariners offering him a new contract.
A statement from the Aussie club said: "Central Coast Mariners would like to confirm that we have agreed to sell in-form goalkeeper Mark Birighitti to Scottish Premiership side Dundee United for an undisclosed fee."
Meanwhile, Tannadice gaffer Ross admits his side face a serious challenge in reaching the Conference League groups after Monday's draw. AZ, who have been Europa League regulars in recent seasons, are hot favourites to see off Tuzla City and set up a trip to Tannadice.
And Ross said: “We knew the likelihood that we would face a tough opposition, due to being unseeded. When you look at the calibre of teams who are seeded and aiming to make it through to the group stage, the standard is very high. And AZ are certainly a team with a strong European pedigree.
“Without a doubt, the upside is definitely that drawing a team from the Netherlands is not too far to go, between two Premiership fixtures. It’s also important to touch on what this draw does for the supporters. If AZ progress from their tie, then this is probably the best case scenario for them in terms of travelling in their numbers.
“So, there is potential for a really tough tie but, equally, a really good tie for the club. For our fans, it has been a number of years since they were in Europe and that opportunity to follow your club in Europe – especially for a team with such a strong European pedigree – is terrific. But it’s also about wanting to stay in this competition.”
