Dundee United defender handed new deal
Dundee United defender Mihael Kovacevic has been handed a new short-term deal to allow him the chance to prove his fitness.
The right-back penned a contract extension until the end of the season, despite failing to feature for the Scottish Premier League club all season due to a knee ligament injury he suffered while on holiday over the summer.
Kovacevic has been working his way back to full fitness and despite chairman Stephen Thomson warning that manager Peter Houston will likely have to move some players on next year, he has been given the chance to make a return before the end of the season
and win a long-term deal.
Houston told reporters: "This extension gives him the opportunity to prove his fitness and get back to playing regularly for the first team. Should this be the case, we fully expect to be able to offer a fuller extension at the appropriate time. In the meantime,
the short-term extension benefits both the player and the club."
Kovacevic joined up with the Tayside club in January 2008 after impressing former manager Craig Levein while he was on trial at Tannadice.
He made his debut in an away SPL game against Celtic that February and helped United claim a point in a goalless draw, but could not help them win the Scottish League Cup against Rangers in what was his second appearance.
Despite competing with Sean Dillon for the right-back starting place, the 6' 4” stopper went on to play in 47 games for the club, and helped United to win the 2010 Scottish Cup as he played in the final against Ross County.
Kovacevic has scored one goal for United, in the 3-3 away draw against Rangers in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup last season.
Tags: