Mixu Paatelainen furious over Eiji Kawashima delay

Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen lhas branded the system “a joke” for stalling Eiji Kawashima’s move to Tannadice – and warned it could even scupper the deal altogether.

Dundee Utd manager Mixu Paatelainen. Picture: SNS

The club have been waiting some weeks now for a work permit for the 32-year-old goalkeeper after agreeing a deal following his release from Standard Liege in the summer.

But their ongoing efforts to cut through the red tape to allow the 72-times capped Japanese international to launch his career in Scotland continue to be blighted by a wall of resistance.

Kawashima is living in Dundee but is forced to work out by himself as he is unable to train with the rest of the squad under employment law which strictly prohibits his involvement.

Paatelainen said: “There’s nothing more we can do. It’s a joke. It could jeopardise the deal if it goes on too long. We have a quality, skilled and experienced professional training by himself because he’s not allowed to train with us.

“He is running round parks on his own and is in the gym. It is very frustrating for him because he wants to play for us and also to get back into the Japan team.

“It is bizarre and I don’t find it logical.The papers are with the Home Office. They’re probably lying in a pile on a desk somewhere.

“There’s no more we can do. We just have to wait and hope it comes through soon.”