Terrors snap up Czech ace

Dundee United have snapped up former Czech international midfielder Rudi Skacel until the end of January after a proposed return to Hearts fell through.

The 33-year-old had recently been training with the Edinburgh club since originally leaving them at the end of last season. But an extended signing ban placed on them by the Scottish Premier League for late payments to players ended his chances of a comeback.

“For both the club and myself it is a good deal,” Skacel told United’s official website. “In January, we can then look at things and see if it suits us both to extend the contract. I can play a few games and hopefully help the team climb the table. I am ready to be involved, but that will be the decision of the manager.

“Within 10 minutes of meeting the manager, I had decided I wanted to come here – it was an easy decision,” he continued. “I have kept fit training with a few of my previous clubs over the last few months, so it is just match fitness I have to get up to speed with.”

Skacel has previously played for Hertha Berlin, Panathinaikos, Southampton, Larissa and Slavia Prague but had been without a club since leaving Hearts. He could immediately face his former club in Wednesday’s Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-final at Tannadice.