Dundee United beat rivals to sign Spartans striker

Dundee United have won the race to sign the Lowland League’s hottest property after beating off competition to agree a deal with Spartans teenager Aaron Murrell.

Murrell, who has netted an incredible 24 goals in 22 competitive outings this season, is set to pen a two-and-a-half-year deal with the relegation-threatened Premiership strugglers today.

The highly-rated striker has been training part-time with Hibernian and had been tracked by Hearts and Rangers, amongst a host of other Premiership and Championship clubs, thanks to his prolific displays for Spartans.

However, a hat-trick in a bounce game during a recent trial spell with United convinced Tannadice manager Mixu Paatelainen to offer the 18-year-old a contract.

It is expected the youngster, who has dedicated himself full-time to football since leaving school last summer, may be loaned back to Spartans initially.

But the fact that United have offered Murrell such a lengthy contract is an indication of the long-term hopes they have for the marksman.