Fatah bagged nine goals and four assists in an impressive loan spell at Tannadice last season before moving to Italy

Jim Goodwin admits Dundee United did everything they could to re-sign Amar Fatah - but the lure of Serie A was just too much.

The Swedish under-21 cap made a summer move to Lecce and scored his first goal against Bologna recently. The winger made a big impression on loan at United last season.

The Tannadice club had agreed a deal with Troyes to sign him on a permanent basis, but it broke down when interest from Italy began to materialise. Goodwin confirmed: “We were desperate to try and get him back.

“We'd done all we could at our end. Of course, we tried to sign Amar. We made a really good offer. We can't compete with these Serie A teams and that's the way it goes.”

Fatah always had big ambitions to go and play in one of Europe’s top league. The winger made a big impression at Tannadice and they made a big impression on him.

The United boss admitted: “He was full of belief that he was going to go and play in the top five playing in Serie A and scoring, so credit to him. It was one that was the club was quite close in terms of the club that probably could have had a deal with it. “Amar just loved his time at United but wanted another challenge.”

Goodwin admitted he keeps in touch with a lot of his old players who made names for themselves at United. The likes of Sam Dalby and Luca Stevenson are amongst them. Goodwin also is keeping tabs on his loan players like Julius Eskesen, who is a KuPS.

“I messaged Amar on Monday morning actually,” Goodwin admitted. “I always religiously watch back players who have been with us. I’m always looking at Dalby and Stevenson and obviously Amar and other players as well, with guys like that up at Aberdeen.

“I’m just curious to see how they're getting on. Julius Eskesen, who is playing. I’m delighted for Amar. I’m really, really pleased. I sent him a wee message on Monday just congratulating him.

“He was quick to reply and obviously was keeping a close eye on the United results as well. I think he spoke publicly about that.”

Goodwin admitted that their success with Fatah will open the door for United to take more talent north from the City Group.

“We've got a great relationship with the City group as well,” the group he added. "They've got an abundance of young, talented players within their ranks and that's certainly something that we'll continue to monitor.”

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