LAST UPDATE | 3 Aug 2022
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND midfielder Jamie McGrath has returned to the Scottish Premiership with Dundee United, joining on a season-long loan from English Championship side Wigan.
The 25-year-old Meath man, who impressed for Stephen Kenny’s Ireland last year, joined the Latics from St Mirren in January but struggled for game time during Wigan’s promotion push and consequently fell out of favour at international level.
Dundee United boss Jack Ross previously came close to signing McGrath for Hibernian 12 months ago only for a paperwork mix-up on Hibs’ end to scupper the deal on deadline day.
Ross was sacked by Hibs in December but has continued to monitor the Athboy native’s career since.
👁 An eye for the spectacular
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) August 3, 2022
We are delighted to welcome Irish International Jamie McGrath to Tannadice on loan until the end of the season ✍️@Jamie_Mc_Gra | #UnitedInPursuit
Ross, who is preparing his side for a Europa Conference League qualifier at home to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, said of his new recruit: “Jamie was a player who had a huge impact on the Scottish Premiership with St Mirren.
“I’ve tried to sign him a couple of times already so my admiration for him as a player is obvious.He fits the profile in terms of what we are looking for.
“We wanted to bring another attack-minded player to the middle of the pitch. We also wanted to bring that increased athleticism and technique so he ticks so many boxes. I’m absolutely thrilled to bring him here.
“We want to get him playing, scoring and setting up goals for Dundee United and back into the international set-up,” Ross added.
“It’s a good statement for us and this is the calibre of player we’ve been trying to recruit.
“We can also help Jamie. Having been a mainstay of the Ireland squad for a season and a half, he has drifted away from that because he wasn’t playing regular football.
“He will play amongst other international-class players who have the same ambitions as him.”
Former St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk midfielder McGrath has earned six Ireland caps since making his debut for the Boys in Green 14 months ago.
He scored 18 goals in 79 games for St Mirren before moving to England in January, but he made only four first-team appearances for Wigan: two in the league and one each in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
Dundee United sporting director Tony Asghar said: “We have been very strategic in our recruitment and targeted ambitious, hungry and high-calibre players.
“We have worked closely with the gaffer to identify and secure quality players that will help us in our pursuit for further success.
“The gaffer was keen to enhance our attacking options and Jamie has shown he can be a real creative force with an eye for goal.
“He has already made an impact at international level and we can give him the platform to further his experience at that level.”
- Updated with confirmation of McGrath’s loan move and new quotes from Jack Ross and Tony Asghar
