3 days ago
Goodwin backs 'fearless' Iovu to flourish in Scotland
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has expressed his "unwavering confidence" that Iurie Iovu will strengthen his defence - even though the centre-half ended last season in the fourth tier of the Spanish 22-year-old, who has been capped four times by Moldova, has signed a two-year contract, with a club-held option of an additional 12 months, after leaving Croatian top-flight outfit Istra believes "committed and fearless" Iovu will be ideal for the physicality of the Scottish Premiership and that he will prove "a fantastic asset" financially in the long United boss pointed to his "dominant displays across three different European countries".Iovu came through the youth ranks with his local club, eight-time Moldovan champions Zimbru Chisinau, but moved to Cagliari's academy in Italy at the age of to make a first-team appearance for his club, he was nevertheless handed his international debut aged 19 in a World Cup qualifier against Austria in following summer, he switched to Venezia but was loaned out to Istra before making the move permanent in season, he made 16 appearances for the side who eventually finished eighth in the 10-team Croatian top flight but was sent on loan to Alaves' B side in January, starting 12 games as they finished eighth in the 18-team United point out that Iovu "ranked in the top two for aerial duel success rate and shots blocked per 90 minutes in the division for players aged under 23" in that first half of the Croatian add that he helped Alaves B win eight of their last 13 matches while on loan.
