United aim to secure sought-after Ferry on new deal

[BBC]

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is keen to secure Will Ferry on a new contract amid interest from "a number of other clubs".

The 25-year-old has been a revelation since his arrival from Cheltenham Town in the summer of 2024 and is now entering the final year of his deal.

The wing-back has scored three goals, and set up a further two, in his past two Premiership appearances.

"We will offer Will Ferry an extension on his contract," Goodwin said.

"From a manager's point of view I always want to try and keep my best players but from the club's perspective I understand there is a player trading model in place and in order for that to work we have to sign good young talented players, develop them and raise their profile.

"Will knows what I think of him on a personal level, he is well aware of what our supporters think of him.

"His performances over the last two years have been extremely consistent and it is no surprise to me that he is on the radar of a number of other clubs."

Ferry, a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, made 42 appearances in his first season at Tannadice across all competitions and set up five goals.

This term, he's got nine assists and four goals in 38 games.

"We brought Will Ferry up from the lower leagues in England," Goodwin added.

"We have given Will the opportunity to play in the Premiership and to raise his profile and he has done fantastically well at that.

"A lot of recruitment now all over Europe is very data driven and Will's numbers over the last two years, defensively, in terms of assisting goals, and obviously now lately adding goals to his game, he will be really high up on a lot of teams' lists."

Having finished fourth on their top-flight return last term, United have missed out on the top six this term but are free of relegation worries.

Goodwin, whose side visit second-bottom Kilmarnock on Saturday, said: "We wanted to be a consistent top-six performing team and obviously we fell short this year and I need to take responsibility for that.

"I think we had a relatively good start in the opening block of 11 games, that middle period is the bit that cost us dearly.