Dundee United claim Kevin Holt forced move to Derry City with 'unavailable' warning

Dundee United have announced Kevin Holt’s departure for Derry City, claiming the player suggested he would be “unavailable” for games if he wasn’t allowed to leave the club.

The defender was absent from the squad as United defeated Motherwell on Saturday, missing a league game for only the second time this season. Hours later, the Tannadice club revealed that he had been sold to Derry City for an undisclosed fee.

However, United made it clear that the transfer had happened against their wishes, and said that Holt had left them with no option to sell by making it clear he would down tools if forced to see out his contract.

The 32-year-old, who joined the club in 2023, was in the final months of his existing deal and would become a free agent this summer.

United said they reluctantly negotiated a transfer fee for the player when it became clear he would not be helping with the push for European football.

A club statement read: “Dundee United can confirm defender Kevin Holt has joined League of Ireland outfit Derry City for an undisclosed fee. The permanent transfer is subject to international clearance.

“The club would like to place on record our disappointment at reaching this outcome given the player was a valued member of the squad.

“However, the player and his representatives made it clear that he may be unavailable for selection between now and the end of the 2024/25 campaign should the transfer not be agreed.

“After considering our options, it was felt that securing a significant fee for a player out of contract in the summer was the best option available.

“Dundee United wish the player all the best for his future career.”

The move was confirmed days after Jim Goodwin had said that Holt would not be leaving the club as there was no scope to bring in a replacement.

Derry City’s interest in the player had been reported ahead of the Irish transfer deadline but Goodwin had praised the player and said his exit would leave the club short on numbers.

“We’ve not had anything on Kevin, and he won’t be going anywhere,” he said earlier this week. “It would leave us short in that area and we aren’t going to do that to ourselves.

“He has been terrific in his two seasons here. Kev has been fantastic and really consistent this season; he has been a big reason why we are in the league position we are right now.

“He is an important player, and we appreciate what he has done for the club.”