Dundee

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Dundee managing director John Nelms says the club have done everything in their power in their bid for a new 12,500-seat stadium at Camperdown Park.

The club say all necessary documentation is now with Dundee City Council after almost two years of talks between the various parties involved.

"After the initial submission for Planning Permission in Principle in February 2024, our consultants have worked through a significant engagement process with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the most robust submission," a club statement said.

"We now believe we have taken every step required of us and look forward our application being heard at the next available committee hearing date.

"We would like to thank our supporters for their patience during what has become a protracted planning application.

"We have never wavered from our belief that the Camperdown Stadium Project will transform Dundee FC's future ambitions on and off the pitch, and that it will be a crown jewel of the city's rejuvenation through its many social, leisure and economic benefits."

Nelms added: "Having done everything asked of us and more, and having respected the planning process, we now place our faith and the project's future in the hands of the city's elected representatives. We look forward to sharing our vision with them as soon as possible."

Manager Steven Pressley was "happy with the exercise" despite Dundee losing 4-0 at home to Everton in Saturday's friendly at Dens Park.

Pressley's Scottish Premiership side trailed 1-0 at the break and lost three more goals to the Premier League outfit in the second period.

"It was very important and we got some really good minutes into the likes of Zan Besir," Pressley told club media. "We got 60 minutes into him, Joe Westley 60 minutes. We got 45 minutes into [Alan] Forrest and of course additional minutes to a number of players.

"Also we welcome back Fin [Robertson] after a setback with an injury.

"So, it was good in that respect and I was really satisfied with a lot of things, especially in the first half where I suppose we had players that have been with us for a longer period that understand the principles more and I thought we were very aggressive.

"The second half, we worked really hard. We were just out of sync a little bit in certain things but that's normal with certain players playing out of position. We also had new players in the team.

"Overall, I was really, really happy with the exercise."

Dundee continue their Premier Sports Cup group campaign away to Ross County on Tuesday (19:45 BST) and finish at home to Clyde on Saturday (15:00). Pressley's side have maximum points from their first two group fixtures.

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Manager Steven Pressley likens Dundee's Charley Oosenbrugh, 17, to Luke Graham, who the Dens Park club recently sold. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Everton consigned Dundee to a heavy defeat in Saturday's friendly at Dens Park.

Beto struck to give the Premier League side the lead at the break.

Thierno Barry scored Everton's second after his block on goalkeeper Harrison Sharp's clearance looped into the net.

Harvey Foster and Dwight McNeil added late goals for the visitors.

Summer signings Zan Besir, Owen Bevan and Idris Odutayo started for Dundee and recent recruit Alan Forrest came on at half-time.

Can Dundee turn a season of survival into a season of ambition? After winning over sceptical supporters, what can Steven Pressley achieve in year two?

Host Charlotte Cohen sits down with George Cran and Robin Grimmond to debate the big talking points surrounding Dundee ahead of the new campaign.

Have Dundee recruited well enough to offset some major departures? Which players are poised to make the biggest impact, and could Ashley Hay become the goalscorer fans have been waiting for?

Most importantly, is a long-awaited top-six finish a realistic target or wishful thinking?

Listen: Pressley's project starts to take shape

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Alan Forrest regards Dundee as "a good fit" after signing up at Dens Park on a two-year deal, with the option of a further year.

The winger, 29, was a free agent after leaving Hearts. He made 142 appearances over four years at Tynecastle, scoring 14 times.

Manager Steven Pressley told Dundee's website: "We've been monitoring Alan's situation for a while and it's excellent to be able to bring him to Dundee.

"He has all the attributes we were looking for in his position, like his one-to-one ability, delivery of crosses and ball carrying and he is very hard working against the ball.

"Alan is someone who knows the Scottish game very well. He's performed well at this level for a number of years and we believe he still has a lot to give."

Before joining Hearts, Forrest turned out for Ayr United and Livingston, playing more than 200 times for the former.

And he said: "As soon as Dundee were interested, I thought it was a good fit for me.

"The way they played last year, they were a match for any team in the league so I'm looking forward to getting started.

"Whether it's helping off the ball or creating and scoring goals, I want to affect games as much as I can."

Dundee captain Simon Murray, 34, reveals he played much of last season carrying an injury. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi says the Serie A club will hold talks with Che Adams when he returns from his holiday following his World Cup duty with Scotland to find out if the 29-year-old striker wants to remain at the club. (Scotsman - subscription required, external)

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson hopes to sign two wide players following the departure of Finland winger Topi Keskinen. (Press & Journal - subscription required, external)

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari says it is now decision time over Bozo Mikulic with the 29-year-old defender featuring in all their pre-season matches as a trialist after his contract ran out on his return from long-term injury. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Head coach Steven Pressley says Dundee are still in the market for another five or six players. (Daily Record), external

Saturday's Scottish football gossip

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Steven Pressley is "calm" about Dundee's transfer business as the Dens Park club get set to start their competitive season.

Pressley's side open their Premier Sports Cup group campaign at home to Airdrieonians on Saturday and have recruited Zan Besier, Owen Bevan, Ryan Finnigan and Idris Odutayo so far.

"There's a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we're very calm about the situation," said Pressley.

"We were in a very similar situation last season and we managed to bring in some really good players in the latter stages of the window.

"Sometimes you need to know where you are in the food chain, and as a result of that, show a little bit more patience. If you adopt that strategy, then often you can get the players that you really want."

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Owen Bevan is eager to "perform" after joining Dundee on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year.

The defender, 22, leaves Bournemouth, who had loaned him out to three different clubs, including Hibernian.

"There were lots of reasons to come here," Bevan told Dundee club media.

"I saw during my trial period that there are lots of good people here. The manager was a big driving factor for coming, I like the way he works, I like the football he wants to play and I think it suits me. I think it'll bring the best out of me.

"I want to perform here. I want to show people that I can step up a level at this club and I can't wait to get started."

Bevan has made 47 senior appearances.

And manager Steven Pressley said: "Owen is a player that we were made aware of and who joined us from day one of our pre-season. He very much impressed with his aggression, his defensive mindset but also his composure and ability with the football.

"In our opinion he's a player with a very high ceiling and our job is to create an environment and give him the platform to achieve that potential. We're delighted that he has signed."

Dundee manager Steven Pressley is looking to add six more players to his squad and is keen to take trialist defender Owen Bevan on loan from Bournemouth. (The Courier - subscription required, external)

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Dundee were held to a 1-1 draw by Highland League runners-up Brechin City in their pre-season friendly at Glebe Park despite having taken an early lead.

Head coach Steven Pressley fielded a mixture of senior and development players against the Angus side.

Forward Ashley Hay headed the Scottish Premiership team into the lead after 13 minutes.

However, striker Mitch Taylor equalised just before the break.

The draw follows a 2-0 defeat away to Livingston, who were relegated from the top flight last season, just over a week ago in their first pre-season game.

Notts County are set to sign Dundee striker Emile Acquah after the clubs agreed a deal in principle for the 25-year-old. (Daily Record), external

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Head coach Steven Pressley says Dundee beat "a number of other clubs" to "exciting signing" Zan Besir as the midfielder makes the switch from Primorje after their relegation from Slovenia's PrvaLiga.

The 25-year-old Slovenia Under-21 cap has signed a two-year contract with the option of a third having joined the Scottish Premiership club's pre-season training camp in Hungary.

Besir told the Dens Park club's website: "Dundee is a massive club, with great fans and great ambition, so for me it was a very easy pick and I'm looking forward to it.

"I know that the Scottish Premiership is a very tough league, so it's a big step for me in my career."

Besir started his career with Koper in his homeland and first joined Primorje in 2023 after loan spells with Dekani, Gorica and Tabor Sezana.

He moved to Nafta 1903 in January 2024 but returned to Primorje six months later and made 35 appearances last season, all but three of them starts, scoring five goals and providing three assists as they finished second bottom of Slovenia's top tier.

Pressley added: "Zan is another exciting signing for the season ahead.

"There were a number of others club interested in him.

"We were able to get him out to Budapest to join us, which was a great way for him to integrate with both staff and players."

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Paul Digby has been released by Dundee by mutual consent "to pursue an opportunity elsewhere", say the Scottish Premiership club.

English midfielder Digby, 31, made 18 appearances after joining the Dark Blues 13 months ago.

Previously, he had played for six clubs in his homeland, including spells at Barnsley and Ipswich Town.

"Everyone at Dundee Football Club would like to thank Paul for his efforts in dark blue and wish him all the best for the future," the club said.

New Dundee defender Ryan Finnigan, 22, believes the Dens Park club can help him produce his best football. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Dundee are close to sealing the signing of Slovenian midfielder Zan Besir after the 25-year-old left Primorje in his homeland. (The Courier, external)

With Luke Graham and Billy Koumetio sold and Clark Robertson also exiting, Dundee are short in central defence and it could mean a reprieve for Aaron Donnelly, the Northern Ireland international who had been told he could find a new club. (The Courier, external)

Celtic have beaten off major English competition to sign 16-year-old goalkeeper Warren Lyall on his first professional contract from Dundee, who will be due compensation. (Daily Record, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.