Northern Ireland defender 'has all the attributes you look for' after making Dundee United move
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin insists Northern Ireland’s Michael Forbes “possesses all the attributes you look for in a modern defender” after signing a two-year contract at the Scottish Premiership outfit.
Forbes, who came through the ranks of Cookstown Youth and Dungannon Swifts before earning a dream move to West Ham United, spent last term on loan at League One outfit Northampton Town, making 22 appearances.
The 22-year-old was a top performer for West Ham’s youth teams during his time at the London Stadium, assuming captaincy duties for the U21s, and also gained further senior experience at Bristol Rovers.
Forbes captained Northern Ireland’s U21s during this month’s friendly defeat to Portugal and is already a senior international having made his debut against Finland in 2023.
The centre-back was included in West Ham’s squad for a Conference League clash away to FCSB in November 2022 and was hailed as a “great character and professional” by Hammers legend Mark Noble, who serves as the club’s sporting director.
He was released by the Premier League club earlier this month but has quickly found a new club – and Goodwin believes Forbes can continue to improve further in Scotland.
"Michael is a player we've admired for some time and we're delighted to bring him to Dundee United,” he said.
"He possesses all the attributes you look for in a modern defender. He's physically strong, dominant in the air, comfortable on the ball and has shown real leadership qualities throughout his development.
"For someone still so young, he already has valuable experience at both club and international level, and we believe there's significant room for further growth in his game.
"We're excited to work with Michael and provide the platform for him to continue progressing. We believe Dundee United is the ideal environment for him to fulfil his potential."
Having got a taste for senior football during his time at West Ham, Forbes is excited for more and wants to help Dundee, who hold the option to extend the defender’s stay by a further year, scale the Premiership table – they finished seventh last term.
"I'm delighted to get everything completed and become a Dundee United player,” he said. "I felt this was the right move at the right stage of my career.
"The club's ambitions match my own and I'm looking forward to taking on a new challenge and showing what I can do.
"The opportunity to test myself in the Scottish Premiership and work under the manager and coaching staff here was something that really appealed to me.
"I'm excited to meet the lads, get started in pre-season and do everything I can to help the team achieve success.
"I can't wait to play in front of the supporters at Tannadice and hopefully create some special memories over the next few years."