SQUAD UPDATE | MAY 2026

Following the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign, preparations within the football department for the upcoming season are already well underway.

As part of that ongoing planning process, the club can now provide an initial squad update regarding players who will depart upon the expiry of their contracts.

Following four seasons of exceptional service to the club both on and off the pitch, Craig Sibbald will move on this summer after making 112 appearances in Tangerine, having previously agreed a pre-contract with his boyhood club Falkirk.

Ryan Strain departs after two seasons with the club, playing an important role during our return to the Premiership with his energy and attacking intent from the right-hand side.

Cult hero Johnny Russell departs the club following a second spell in Tangerine, bringing an end to a memorable United career which saw the forward score 45 goals across 128 appearances in all competitions. A fan favourite throughout both spells at Tannadice, Russell’s contribution to the club across nearly two decades will not be forgotten.

Goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer quickly established himself as a dependable presence between the sticks following his arrival during the January transfer window and leaves the club with our best wishes. 

Kristijan Trapanovski departs the club after making 58 appearances and scoring seven goals across two seasons in Tangerine following his arrival at Tannadice in the summer of 2024. The club has also offered Kristijan ongoing rehabilitation and medical support throughout the summer as he continues his recovery from injury.

Fans’ Player of the Year Amar Fatah’s loan spell has now come to an end, with the winger returning to his parent club after an impressive campaign in Tangerine. The Swedish attacker scored nine goals across all competitions during the 2025/26 season, becoming a key figure in the United attack throughout the season. 

Luca Stephenson returns to Liverpool F.C. following a second loan spell at Tannadice, having become a firm fan favourite across his two seasons with the club. The versatile midfielder made 67 appearances in all competitions during his time as a Terror, contributing eight goals and playing an important role both on and off the pitch.

Krisztián Keresztes returns to his parent club following the conclusion of his loan spell, having made 41 appearances across all competitions during the 2025/26 campaign. The Hungarian defender proved to be a consistent presence throughout the season, contributing three goals from the backline.

Ivan Dolcek’s loan spell at Tannadice has come to an end following a productive campaign which saw the Croatian winger make 35 appearances and score five goals across the season.

Max Watters also departs the club this summer after scoring five goals across 31 appearances. The striker played a memorable role in United’s UEFA Conference League journey, finding the net in both legs against Austrian giants SK Rapid Wien, including a superb double at Tannadice on a dramatic European night.

Isaac Pappoe departs the club following a campaign heavily disrupted by injury, which limited the promising midfielder to four appearances after arriving at Tannadice in the summer of 2025.

Academy graduate Lewis O’Donnell departs the club following the conclusion of his loan spell with Cove Rangers during the 2025/26 campaign.

Finally, we also wish Academy graduates, Harry Welsh, Lewis Haldane and Calvin Beattie the very best of luck as they move on to the next stage of their careers following the conclusion of their time at Tannadice.

The club remains in ongoing discussions regarding player contractual situations, with a further update to be provided in due course.