Dubliner Willo Flood has completed his one-year loan move to  Scottish Premier League side Dundee United.

The 22-year-old midfielder is contracted to Cardiff City but his first-team opportunities at Ninian Park have been limited since moving from Manchester City in a £200,000 deal last August

Flood, though, won't link up with his new team-mates until July and will remain in Wales for the foreseeable future  because his partner is expecting a child in the coming weeks.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international was once touted among the most promising Irish players across the water but lost his form and failed to build on that potential.

Flood made just five league starts for Cardiff last season - including 20 appearances from the substitute's bench - and struggled to make an impression on manager Dave Jones.

Dundee United manager Craig Levein is confident Flood - who also had loan spells with Rochdale and Coventry in recent seasons - will prove a hit at Tannadice.

"I'm confident he will do well for Dundee United. His style of play suits the SPL and will make him a firm favourite with our supporters," he said.

"I was aware that a number of other clubs were interested in taking him and am pleased that Cardiff City see this move as an opportunity for the player to improve his game.

"Most of all however, I'm delighted because I see him as an important player for us next season."

Flood joins compatriot Noel Hunt - the former Shamrock Rovers striker - at Dundee United and together the pair will look to revive the club next season having finished fourth from bottom this term.