Dundee United have agreed a £120,000 compensation package with Tranmere Rovers to make Micky Mellon their new manager.
The 48-year-old has also agreed terms on a two year contract with the Tannadice club.
Mellon is expected to be officially unveiled as United’s new boss this week.
It will see the Scot return to manage in his homeland for the first time, as United look to make their mark on the Premiership.
Mellon was on sporting director Tony Asghar’s original short list after Robbie Neilson’s shock return to Hearts came about last month.
The experienced boss has five promotions on his CV from his time in England with Fleetwood Town, Tranmere and Shrewsbury Town and he has also been the subject of interest from Sunderland and Swansea City over the last 12 months.
Mellon’s Tranmere side suffered relegation to League Two after the league was called on a points-per-game average, even though they were three points from safety, had a game in hand and had won their previous three games on the bounce.
The other main contenders on the United short list were the Scottish Football Association’s performance director Malky Mackay, ex-Luton Town manager Graeme Jones and former England boss Steve McClaren.
They were all interviewed for the position although McClaren decided to pull out for family reasons and that narrowed the field down.
All three were interviewed and then the process continued with a second virtual interview with American chairman Mark Ogren.
From there, it was decided between Ogren and his board that Mellon would be their new manager.
Mellon then held talks with Tranmere chairman Mark Palios and confirmed that he wanted to move to the Premiership new boys.
Mellon will come in and work with the two existing coaches in Lee McCulloch and Gordon Forrest.
One or both could yet go to Hearts to team up with Neilson again but as it stands they remain under contract to United.
