Motherwell

Motherwell have confirmed the permanent exit of Elliot Watt to Turkish outfit Samsunspor, and the midfielder was quick to thank the side for the life-changing move to Fir Park. The 26-year-old joined from Burton Albion last summer. With 42 appearances for the Steelmen, Watt was a crucial cog in Jens Berthel Askou’s side, helping them impressively finish 4th in the Scottish Premiership last year. Speaking to the Motherwell website, Watt praised the support The Steelmen offered him and his family. “I would like to take this chance to thank everyone connected to the club for the last 12 months – 12 months that have changed my career and life. “The support and positivity I felt from the first minute I arrived gave me the confidence to learn, improve and perform. “I hope I was able to put a smile on the fans’ faces. My family and I will be forever grateful and will always be watching; we will hopefully be back soon – I don’t think I will be able to keep my boys away from Fir Park for too long.” Motherwell added, “We wish Elliot and his family the very best for the future and thank him sincerely for his efforts.”

Motherwell have confirmed the signing of centre-back Jake Girdwood-Reich on a three-year deal from MLS outfit St Louis City. Girdwood-Reich made the switch the Major League Soccer in 2024, achieving 23 appearances for the team, but spent last season in Australia on loan at Auckland FC. The 22-year-old was keen to get the deal across the line and is looking forward to the next step of his career. Girdwood-Reich joined St Louis in 2024 and has made 23 senior appearances for the club but spent last season back in Australia on loan with Auckland FC. “It feels so good to be here,” he told the Motherwell website. “Talks have been ongoing, and I’ve been keen to get things finalised so I could get to work. “The manager was impressive in the way he explained how he wanted the team to play, and that is something that is important to me. I know what he expects from me, and I know what I can expect from him. “I know a couple of the boys and have played against a few too, so settling in won’t be an issue. It’s an exciting few weeks, and I’m glad I can be a part of the journey here at Motherwell.” Alfred Johansson is delighted to confirm Jake’s services, he added, “Jake has a perfect blend of experience and young, raw talent. “At 22, he is young, enthusiastic and energetic. With lots of development still possible, he has enough experience to slot in comfortably in this environment. Defensively, he is a strong and intelligent player whose traits match our style.”

Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson saw plenty of positives from his side despite a convincing preseason defeat to Danish side AGF Aarhus. The North Lanarkshire side were concluding their week-long trip to Denmark, and fielded a strong XI. Last season’s stalwarts Stephen O’Donnell, Tom Sparrow, Elliot Watt, and Lukas Fadinger all started the 4-0 defeat. The Steelmen’s preparations are in full swing ahead of their UEFA Conference League Qualifying tie with Havnar Bóltfelag of the Faroe Islands. Despite losing the match, Johansson remained upbeat about his side’s performance, insisting it was the conclusion of a successful camp. “From a performance perspective, it’s obviously tough.” “We knew we were going to face a good team and they were better than us. “We need this kind of intensity to get us up to speed. It’s tough on the boys after a week of double sessions, but it’s exactly what we need. “You go into these games trying to win them, but the importance of a result in a friendly game is not big. “We had a lot of 2009s and 2010s on the pitch [in the second half]. We made the most out of it. “It’s been a really good camp. All credit to the players for the week.” Motherwell host KRF Genk at Fir Park on the 17th of July, and face a trip to Easter Road to begin the Scottish Premiership season.

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson has made his first moves of the summer, securing defensive and attacking reinforcements with the signings of Martin Moormann and Willy Yogt. Austrian defender Moormann joins on a two-year deal, with the option of a third year, arriving from FC Blau-Weiß Linz in the Austrian top flight. He joins the Steelmen with versatility, having been regularly deployed at centre back and left back. Moormann told the Motherwell website he was “excited” to join the Steelmen. “I’ve been learning about Motherwell Football Club, and everything has been so positive. It seems like I’m joining a club that knows what it wants to be, and that’s really important to me. “The group of players achieved so much last season, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone soon. We’ve got some big games early on this season, so there’s no time to waste. I also want to say how much I’m looking forward to seeing the supporters of this club. I’ve heard so much about the increased attendances and colour and noise the fans bring. It will be special to feel the atmosphere when everyone is together.” Swiss youth international Vogt will strengthen Motherwell’s attacking options, scoring 12 goals for Swiss side AC Bellinzona in the Challenge League last year. After making his way through prestigious academies at Grasshopper and Basel, Vogts has 53 goal involvements in 161 career appearances. Having made the switch to the Scottish top flight, Vogts is raring to go at Fir Park “This is a brand new chapter for me, and I can’t wait to get started.” “Everyone I have met so far has been so helpful, and I feel I’ll settle in here easily. Personally, I had a strong season last year, and I hope I can bring that kind of impact to Motherwell. I’ve studied the way the team wants to play, and there is no doubt that this system will suit me. “I have continued working over the summer, but now things will go up a level ahead of the new season. It’s time to get to work.” Manager Alfred Johansson expressed his delight in attaining both signings. He called Vogts “an exciting player” and Moormann “exactly the type of centre back we require”.

Elijah Just hopes his agent is “busy at the moment” after the New Zealand internationalist enjoyed a sparkling World Cup campaign in Canada. The Motherwell attacker enjoyed a double against Iran, before netting a consolation in The All Whites’ encounter with Belgium. But despite his best efforts, New Zealand finished bottom of Group G. Speaking with the NZ Herald, Just spoke of how the tournament has made him hungrier than ever, despite his side coming up short. “Well, I hope he’s busy at the moment, and I will obviously speak with him, and, in football, you never know.” “The World Cup has given me added belief and also motivation to keep pushing,” Just said. The 26-year-old joined Motherwell from Danish side Horsens in July 2025, receiving a nomination for PFA Player of the Year in the Scottish Premiership last season. An honest Just admitted that in recent years his career felt stagnated, and is thrilled to be playing back at the top of his game. “There was a point in my career, one or two years ago, where I wasn’t quite sure what level I was going to be. “I was a little bit stuck and maybe plateaued a little bit, so now you have a little bit of a new energy and new belief. “I definitely want to test myself, see how far I can go. It’s something that everybody wants to do. “Coming to the World Cup gave me a taste of playing against top, top players. So we’ll see what happens.” Former Rosenborg boss Alfred Johansson arrived after the departed Jens Berthel Askou, and Just advised he is “looking forward to seeing all my pals and meeting the new coach”, as they look to back up their credible 4th place finish last season.

Lukas Fadinger has penned a 12-month extension at Motherwell, keeping him at the club until 2028. The Austrian signed from SCR Altach in the summer of 2025, and quickly established himself as a crucial cog in Jens Berthel Askou’s midfield. Featuring 43 times for the Fir Park side, Fadinger scored five goals last season, manager Askou regarded Lukas Fadinger’s story as a “wonderful one” whilst speaking on Motherwell’s website “Being signed by Michael Wimmer, there might have been more questions around his role than answers when he arrived to a team led by a different manager. However, that didn’t seem to bother him, and he very quickly turned into one of the most consistent and dependable performers in the team this season. “His wonderful calm and including personality has been an equally important asset to the dressing room. It is, therefore, great news for the club that he has extended his stay with us for another year.” Fadinger expressed his own delight at penning a further year for the Steelmen and has “loved every minute” of the season. “The fans, players, staff and everyone involved with the club have been so supportive of me, and we’ve had a great season together. I’m excited to extend my contract at this fantastic club, and I think we’re all looking forward to the European journey next season. Hopefully, we can have lots more success as a team next year. “Thank you to everyone for your support.” Motherwell received plaudits from all across the country, and Saturday’s victory over Hibs secured 4th place and a European tour for the first time since 2021. Having lost the services of midfield stalwart Callum Slattery, who leaves Fir Park after five years, Well fans will be encouraged by Fadinger’s extension, who is perhaps regarded as an underrated player in the Scottish top flight.