Centre-half Forbes joins United after West Ham exit

[Getty Images] Dundee United have signed Northern Irish centre-half Michael Forbes following the 22-year-old's release by West Ham United. Forbes, who has signed a two-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club holding an option for a further year, has one cap for his country back in 2023 and manager Jim Goodwin believes United can help him "fulfil his potential". "Michael is a player we've admired for some time," he told his club website. "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." Forbes, who can also play at left-back, joined West Ham from Dungannon Swifts in 2020 but failed to break into the first team with the Premier League club after loan spells with Bristol Rovers, Colchester United and Northampton Town. He made 21 starts and five substitute appearances for Northampton last season as they were relegated after finishing bottom of League One. Looking forward to "testing myself" in Scotland's top flight, Forbes believes it is "the right move at the right stage of my career" and that United's "ambitions match my own".