Fifteen years on from his first spell, Charlie Mulgrew has secured a return to Dundee United.

It comes after the 35-year-old was released by Rovers, bringing an end to a five-year stay at Ewood Park which saw him captain the club to League One promotion in 2017/18.

Mulgrew had sought a return north of the border, with United, under new manager Tam Courts, securing his signature on a two-year deal.

The 35-year-old saw his contract end with Rovers this summer, but he’s played just twice for the club in the last two seasons, spending the first part of the 2020/21 season, and the whole of the last campaign, on loan at Wigan Athletic and Fleetwood Town respectively.

Mulgrew now hopes to have found a home at Tannadice where he enjoyed a loan spell in 2006.

“15 years later I’m back to where my first team career started. So thankful for this opportunity can’t wait for pre season to start,” he wrote on social media.

Courts, aged 39, has taken charge of Dundee United after the departure of Micky Mellon who returned to Tranmere Rovers.

Mulgrew is the first signing of his regime, one that has been in the works for some time, though Partick Thistle were also interesting in signing the defender who played 109 times for Rovers.

That followed a switch in 2016 when he left boyhood club Celtic who he will come up against next term.

For Courts, he’s delighted to have a player of Mulgrew’s experience on board, the defender having won 44 caps for Scotland, captaining them as recently as 2019.

"I’m excited to have a player of Charlie’s winning pedigree available to me for the next two years,” Courts added.

"I believe that he joins an existing group of senior players who already give everything to make Dundee United better on the pitch.

"Charlie is renowned for his leadership and impact on young players which is something that will be valuable in their development."