Last Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:06
Dundee United boss Peter Houston says Pavels Mihadjuks' loan move to Tannadice could be made permanent in the summer.
The 29-year-old Latvian centre-half, who was a free agent after he failed to agree a new deal with FK Ventspils before Christmas, has joined the Terrors on an initial loan deal until the end of campaign.
Mihadjuks spent the second half of last season with Inverness and Houston is delighted to have secured the services of a player he rates extremely highly.
"I've been aware of this player and his availability for some time, particularly after he impressed in his short time with Inverness Caley," he said on the club's website.
"Pavels is a quality defender with real presence and when it became apparent over the weekend that injuries were going to leave us short defensively, I moved quickly to secure his services until the end of the season.
"This will not only provide us with immediate and quality cover, but will also allow us, and Pavels, time to see whether this short-term deal should be extended beyond then."
The new boy will act as cover for injured defenders Paul Dixon and Mihael Kovacevic and should make his debut against Hamilton on Wednesday.