Matthew Cudjoe to Brighton transfer claims given short shrift by Dundee United boss Jack Ross

Jack Ross insists Mathew Cudjoe has a big future at Dundee United – despite being linked with a Premier League switch.

The Ghanaian teenager only signed for the Tangerines last season and despite playing just handful of games, it’s been reported that Brighton have him on their radar. Ross didn’t know much about the 18-year-old attacker before he arrived at Tannadice in the summer but has been impressed with the early impression he has made during pre-season.

Cudjoe, himself, has already set himself big goals and confirmed last season he would love to eventually help Ghana to be African champions and to play in the Champions League. United boss Ross said: “Matthew is a young player who has impressed us. I knew a bit about him before coming here through my knowledge of players and also speaking to Liam Fox.

“Matthew has had a really strong pre-season, he’s taken his chances when they came along. He has done really well in the games he’s played since I came in.”

Ross admitted the young African is a match winner and knows he needs to keep working hard. He admitted: “Matthew has the ability to eliminate people, he takes people on and wants to score goals so I have been delighted with him.

“All you can do as an 18-year-old is take your opportunity when it comes along and he’s done that. He’s with us, he trained this morning with us and is embracing the opportunity he’s had with us. So I don’t know where it came from because he’s very much part of our squad.”

Ross will take his competitive bow as United manager when he leads his side out at Rugby Park on Saturday. It could see him give debuts to his new summer signings Mark Birighitti, Steven Fletcher and Craig Sibbald.

United have also announced the signing of Australian