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03/11/2015, 15h32
Mixu Paatelainen insists there will be no automatic starting place for Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima should he complete his move to Dundee United.
But the Tannadice manager thinks the 32-year-old's experience will be a boost to the Scottish Premiership club.
Kawashima has agreed to sign subject to a work permit being granted.
"There's no automatic starting place for anybody," Paatelainen told BBC Scotland. "Of course, we want competition for any position we have."
Kawashima has been without a club since leaving Standard Liege in the summer in search of first-team football after losing his place to former Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien.
"Certainly, Eiji will strengthen that competition in the goalkeeper's position," said Paatelainen.
"He's a seasoned professional with plenty caps - over 70 caps for Japan.
"He's been to major tournaments. It would be nice if there was a possibility of Eiji joining us because he would help our young goalkeepers with his experience.
"It's depending on a work permit. Eiji, we've agreed everything with him, but obviously we can't sign the contract until the work permit issue has been solved. I don't know how long it takes."
But the Tannadice manager thinks the 32-year-old's experience will be a boost to the Scottish Premiership club.
Kawashima has agreed to sign subject to a work permit being granted.
"There's no automatic starting place for anybody," Paatelainen told BBC Scotland. "Of course, we want competition for any position we have."
Kawashima has been without a club since leaving Standard Liege in the summer in search of first-team football after losing his place to former Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien.
"Certainly, Eiji will strengthen that competition in the goalkeeper's position," said Paatelainen.
"He's a seasoned professional with plenty caps - over 70 caps for Japan.
"He's been to major tournaments. It would be nice if there was a possibility of Eiji joining us because he would help our young goalkeepers with his experience.
"It's depending on a work permit. Eiji, we've agreed everything with him, but obviously we can't sign the contract until the work permit issue has been solved. I don't know how long it takes."