Dundee United have sent striker Owen Stirton to Ayr United on a season-long loan, with manager Jim Goodwin stressing the need for the 19-year-old to play regular first-team football. Stirton made seven appearances, starting three times, on loan to Airdrieonians in the second half of last season as they were relegated from the Championship. Now he returns to the second tier with Ayr under new head coach Gary Naysmith.