Dundee United are delighted to announce the signing of Krisztian Keresztes on a season-long loan from Hungarian top-flight outfit Nyiregyhaza Spartacus.

The deal, which is subject to both international and SFA clearance, includes an option to buy.

Born in the Western Hungarian city of Szombathely, the towering defender spent his early years skippering hometown club Illés’ academy teams, where he featured in the 2018/19 UEFA Youth League.

Brief stints with fellow Hungarian sides Sarvar and FC Ajka preceded his first venture into the professional game, with Dorogi tabling his first professional contract in the summer of 2021.

Aged just 22, Keresztes was pitched into a relegation battle towards the end of his debut campaign in senior football, starting all of the final nine matches and stepping forward as a key figure to ensure his employers’ safety.

He made a further 14 appearances for Dorogi the following term, before being snapped up by fellow second division side ETO FC Gyor in the 2023 winter window.

Displaying leadership qualities from the outset of his ETO Park adventure, Keresztes was given the captain’s armband at the beginning of 2023/24, and led his new colleagues to seven wins from their opening ten league matches.

He also ventured to Slovakia to represent Dunajská Streda and STK Samorin, picking up a Slovak Super Liga winners’ medal with the former. 

Latterly, the 25-year-old returned to his homeland last summer to team up with Nyiregyhaza Spartacus.

Throughout the 2024/25 Nemzeti Bajnoksag I season, our ninth addition of the window topped the division’s charts for aerial duel success rate by a considerable margin, whilst also averaging over seven interceptions per 90 minutes.

Keresztes, who will wear the number 23, is set to pull on a tangerine jersey for the first time this evening as the Terrors clash with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

ADDED AUTHORITY

“Krisztian’s arrival brings further depth and quality to a strong backline we’ve meticulously constructed over the summer window”, said Dundee United Manager, Jim Goodwin, upon the unveiling.

The Irishman continued: “He has an ideal physical profile to thrive in the Scottish Premiership - he stands at a colossal six-foot-five and has the mobility to cover ground quickly, step into midfield and recover on the transition. 

“The statistics also underline his dominance in the air - a vital asset given the importance of both attacking and defensive set-pieces in this division

“Beyond his physical attributes, he reads the game exceptionally well, often positioning himself ahead of danger rather than reacting to it. That anticipation, combined with his track record of success in leadership roles, will bring added authority to our defensive unit.”

He concluded: “With his arrival, competition for places intensifies — and that’s exactly what we want. This squad is being built not just to compete, but to drive standards every day, and Krisztián embodies that mentality.”

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