 Persson was the first of five Scandinavian imports signed by Dundee United manager Jerry Kerr who was one of the first managers in Scotland to tap into the Scandinavian market to find talented and experienced players at an affordable price.Persson moved to Tannadice from Örgryte IS on 2 December 1964, the first overseas player to join the club.As there was no professionalism in Swedish football in the 1960s United did not have to pay a transfer fee.