KANE HEMMINGS has quit Dundee by mutual consent after making a dramatic U-turn on his future – with the Championship outfit immediately snapping up Alex Jakubiak as a replacement.
Hemmings, 29, was initially the only member of the Dee squad who failed to agree a wage cut last month amid the financial pressures of the Covid-19 crisis.
However, Hemmings, whose contract ran until 2022, later indicated that he WOULD take a temporary salary reduction, sparking hopes that he could still have a part to play in Dundee’s promotion push next season.
But Dundee chiefs were left stunned 48 hours later when Hemmings – currently on holiday in Ibiza – informed the club that he had changed his mind and requested his release.
His departure was subsequently confirmed on Wednesday and the player likely to return to English football.
Burton Albion, who have already raided the SPFL to sign Steven Lawless from Livingston, are known to be interested in Hemmings and recently had a loan bid for the hitman kicked out by Dundee.
Hemmings scored 10 goals in 26 outings during his second spell with the Dee, having previously found the net 28 times for the club in the 2015/16 campaign.
In a seemingly-pointed comment on Dundee’s official club website, boss James McPake said: “The most important thing above all else is we want people who are fully committed to the football club. I’m happy that the players and staff who are now at the club have shown that this is the case.
“We are grateful to the staff and players who recently took part in the financial restructuring process.”
McPake wasted no time in snapping up another striker to fill the void left by Hemmings, bringing in Jakubiak on a two-year contract after he departed Watford.
The 23-year-old spent the second half of last term on loan at St Mirren and it is understood the Buddies were interested in taking him back to Paisley – however, the Dee won the fight for his signature.
Jakubiak, who also enjoyed a six-month stint with Falkirk in 2018, was on the books of the Hornets from the age of 13 but made just one appearance for the Championship side.
The Scotland under-19 international was instead farmed out to Braintree, Oxford, Dagenham & Redbridge, Fleetwood Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Bristol Rovers and Gillingham.
Jakubiak’s capture follows hot on the heels of Danny Mullen’s arrival this week.
And McPake said: “Alex is a player that we know really well from his time in Scotland with Falkirk and St. Mirren.
“He is one that excites us. He was identified very early on as one that we would like to bring to the club.
“With Andrew Nelson and Kane Hemmings leaving it was important we strengthened but with our background work already done on Alex and Danny Mullen we had already identified those two and we are delighted to bring both to the club.”
