Dundee United officially announces signing of Zidane Iqbal

Scottish club Dundee United announced today, Thursday, that they have signed Iraqi midfielder Zidane Iqbal from Utrecht, on the final day of the transfer window, pending the necessary permits from the Scottish Football Association and the international clearance.

Zidane Iqbal, 23, has signed a two-year contract with Dundee United, with the club having the option to extend it for an additional year.

Iqbal joined the Manchester United academy at the age of nine, before signing his first professional contract in April 2021. He made his first appearance with the first team in the UEFA Champions League against Young Boys later that same year, becoming the first British player of South Asian descent to participate in the competition.

Zidane Iqbal has chosen to represent Iraq at the international level, participating in 28 matches, including all three of Iraq's group stage matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which featured a strong encounter against France.

Iqbal has moved to Utrecht in search of greater playing opportunities, having participated in over 60 matches with the Dutch club during a four-year period.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin said: "I am pleased to welcome Zidane to the club. He has great potential and comes after a successful World Cup with Iraq, where he participated in all the group stage matches. We believe he will add something different and is capable of playing in several positions in midfield."

For his part, Iqbal expressed his happiness at joining his new team, saying: "I am happy to be here and cannot wait to start working. My conversations with the coach have been positive, and I am excited to meet my new teammates and the coaching staff."