Dundee United boss Craig Levein is delighted to be reunited with his former Hearts striker Mark de Vries.

The 32-year-old Dutchman has signed until the end of the season and will go straight into the squad to face Kilmarnock today.

It is the third time De Vries has signed for Levein, having joined him at Hearts and Leicester previously, and will bring to an end the club's long search for a striker with a physical presence.

Levein said: "Mark has done a great job for me in the past and I'm delighted to get him. I tried for him a year ago but because he was playing for Leicester again it wasn't possible, but things have changed and I've been able to get him now. Everyone knows we've been struggling a bit up front, not in terms of scoring goals but with lacking a real physical presence and strength in attack.

"I've been looking for someone to hold the ball up and give us an outlet when we're under pressure. He's also scored a lot of goals as well so he fits the bill of what I've been after.

"We're a young squad so experience is vital and Mark brings that. He ticks the right boxes I've been looking to fill."