Dundee FC are set to secure the signature of Queens Park Rangers full-back Ziyad Larkeche according to reports in Scotland.
The Tayside club will sign the former Barnsley player on a season-long loan as they look to build upon their sixth-placed finish after returning to the Scottish Premiership. They open their campaign against bitter rivals Dundee United next weekend.
Larkeche joined the West London club from neighbours Fulham last summer, making 20 appearances in the league under both Marti Cifuentes and former Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth before his sacking. He recorded 366 minutes in the second tier, with three starts against Cardiff City, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.
He has mainly found himself deputising to Kenneth Paal, but has occasionally started further up the field such as in the game against The Bluebirds. The former PSG academy player also played a full ninety minutes in the FA Cup against Bournemouth, providing an assist for Sinclair Armstrong.
This will be the second time Dundee have brought a loan left back in, with Liverpool’s Owen Beck to feature 28 times at Dens Park. He was highly rated during his spell in Scotland, being named in the Scottish PFA Team of the Season. Despite rumours that the former Bolton Wanderers full-back might return, it was confirmed that he would be moving elsewhere.
Tony Docherty’s side will have made their sixth signing of the summer when the 21-year-old arrives at Dundee. Fellow EFL players such as Bristol City‘s Seb Palmer-Houlden and West Brom‘s Ethan Ingram have also moved north to The Dark Blues this summer.
QPR will still have a battle to keep their first choice in Paal at Loftus Road, with Darren Witcoop reporting that fellow Championship side Watford is interested in pursuing a deal for the 27-year-old. With just one year left on his deal, it has been suggested that the club could be open to selling the defender should he not sign a new deal.
Writer’s View
With minutes at Queens Park Rangers limited, it makes sense that Ziyad Larkeche would be loaned out to get minutes. He is only 21 so there is a lot of potential in him that needs to be unlocked through regular playing time. Dundee have been successful with previous loan players such as Owen Beck and are a good destination to send loan players for Championship clubs.
The opening day is looming and with uncertainty now brewing around Kenneth Paal, Marti Cifuentes will need to look towards new full-back options should an impasse not be reached with the Suriname international. Should no options be found when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to London, it will be likely that Morgan Fox will deputies in the position until a new face comes through the door.
Be the first to comment