Motherwell

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With a new manager in the dugout and European nights on the horizon, are Motherwell ready to take the next step?

Host Charlotte Cohen sits down with Derek Watson of the Well Society and Motherwell fan John O'Leary to tackle the key questions that could define the club's season.

Can Alfred Johansson maintain the club's attacking identity following the departure of Jens Berthel Askou?

How will the Steelmen cope if their biggest assets attract transfer interest? And after last season's heroics, can supporters dare to dream again?

Listen: Europe, Johansson and big expectations - Motherwell season preview

Clubs "in a number of countries" have made enquiries about Motherwell winger Elijah Just, according to the 26-year-old's agent Gustaf Grauers. (Record, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Motherwell have signed centre-back Jake Girdwood-Reich from MLS side St Louis City on a three-year deal.

The 22-year-old, who becomes Motherwell's fourth summer signing, began his footballing career in Sydney but also had a short stint with St Johnstone's academy in the early years 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," Jake Girdwood-Reich told club media.

"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."

Head coach Alfred Johansson 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."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell have signed New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen on loan from Bournemouth, two years after he made a reported £2m move to the Premier League side.

The 24-year-old, who was part of his nation's 2026 World Cup squad but did not feature, caught the attention of the English top-flight club after a breakout spell at Wellington Phoenix.

However, he is yet to play for Bournemouth and has spent the past two seasons out on loan, firstly at Auckland before a stint at Lechia Gdansk last term.

He played 24 times in Poland's top tier, suffering relegation as Lechia finished 16th in the 18-team division.

Paulsen arrives following fellow goalkeeper Calum Ward's move from Fir Park to Queens Park Rangers and joins international team-mate Elijah Just in Lanarkshire.

"I've got a great feeling coming in here," Paulsen said. "Obviously, I've been able to speak to Elijah about the club, and everything he has said has got me excited about what's to come.

"I've had a wonderful summer with my country at the World Cup and feel fresh coming into this season. We have some huge matches just around the corner, and we all need to be ready for the competitive action.

"I've spoken to the manager and have been so impressed with the way he has spoken to me. There is a clear vision, and I hope I can help the team achieve that."

Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson added: "Alex had a hugely successful spell in Australia and New Zealand, where he received a number of personal accolades. He was also part of teams that liked to play a certain style of football, and they achieved their targets.

"With Calum moving on, it was obvious that we needed to recruit in this position. We see Alex as a very similar type of goalkeeper in terms of his strengths."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Alfred Johansson will get his first introduction to the Motherwell support in Friday's friendly against Belgian side Genk, but Thursday marks a week until the first leg of their Conference League second-round qualifier against HB Torshavn.

Excitement is building among the fans of the Fir Park club, yet there is also some concern bubbling away about the readiness of the Lanarkshire side as the start of their European campaign approaches.

Two key players from the team that mesmerised the fanbase throughout last term have departed, with goalkeeper Calum Ward joining Queens Park Rangers and Callum Slattery departing for Sheffield Wednesday.

No direct replacements have been signed for either yet, with forward Willy Vogt and centre-back Martin Moorman the only signings of the window so far.

Meanwhile, speculation will not go away regarding the futures of Elliot Watt and Elijah Just, who returned for pre-season training last week following his excellent showings at the World Cup with New Zealand.

Goalkeeper Matty Connelly, who played five times for Jens Berthel Askou last season, and teenager Olly Whyte, who excelled on loan at Stenhousemuir, could potentially fill the voids left by Ward and Slattery.

However, fans harbour concerns that the team are heading into competitive action in a weaker state.

Johansson praised a "very youthful" Motherwell side for their bravery in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Carlisle on Saturday.

"The brand of football we want to stand for, we saw it, it was clear," he said.

The Swede, who is following in the footsteps of a manager who delivered the most attractive football Motherwell fans have seen, noted the goals conceded but hailed "intense pressing moments" from a largely inexperienced team.

Johansson says he is "absolutely" pleased with the progress of his players but referenced injuries within the group.

Captain Paul McGinn remains out following an injury late last season, while striker Tawanda Maswanhise missed the pre-season training camp in Denmark with a facial issue.

But supporters can look forward to the new duo of Moorman and Vogt being part of the side for Friday's challenging encounter with Genk.

Underlying data suggests the pair could be eye-catching additions, while work is under way to add more faces to a squad fans will be desperate not to see picked apart.

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Motherwell received an £800,000 fee from Queens Park Rangers for goalkeeper Calum Ward. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

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Calum Ward says he will always be a Motherwell "supporter" after leaving Fir Park to join Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee.

Ward, 25, made 43 appearances after joining the Steelmen in early 2025.

He joins QPR as fellow keeper Joe Walsh, 24, leaves Loftus Road to join Wigan Athletic on loan.

"My time at the club has been some journey," Ward told Motherwell media.

"Last season I was given an opportunity to show what I could do. As a club, we achieved so much, and I'm so pleased to be a part of it. I'll remember my time at the club so fondly. I want to thank all the coaches and players for everything.

"A special club that I'll always be a supporter of."

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Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson took positives despite losing his first friendly match 4-0 against Danish champions AGF Aarhus.

The 35-year-old was appointed last month, replacing Jens Berthel Askou, who led the club to fourth place in the Scottish Premiership before departing for Toulouse.

The Steelmen have been in Denmark for a pre-season training camp as they prepare to face Havnar Boltfelag of the Faroe Islands in Conference League qualifying later this month,

"From a performance perspective, it's obviously tough," Johansson said. "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."

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Motherwell have signed "exciting player" Willy Vogt after the 24-year-old forward exited Bellinzona following their relegation to the third tier in Switzerland.

He has agreed a two-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months, becoming Alfred Johansson's second signing as manager - and second of the day after centre-half Martin Moormann.

"Willy is an exciting player," Johansson told Motherwell's website.

"He had an excellent season last year in Switzerland and will be arriving in Scotland full of confidence.

"Having had numerous talks with Willy, I believe he will bring pace and flair to the team.

"He has played a lot of minutes for a player of his age and can contribute at the top end of the pitch.

"His goal contributions last season show how impactful he can be."

Despite Bellinzona finishing five points adrift at the bottom of the Challenge League, Vogt scored 12 times and provided seven assists in his 32 appearances.

He had joined Bellinzona from Schaffhausen last summer after they too suffered relegation to the Swiss Promotion League.

Brazilian-born, he is a dual citizen and spent his whole career in Switzerland having come through the ranks with Zurich, Basel and Winterthur.

Vogt, who can play on either wing or through the middle, believes the way Motherwell play will suit his style.

"Personally, I had a strong season last year and I hope I can bring that kind of impact to Motherwell," he said.

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Motherwell have signed Austrian centre-half Martin Moormann after the 25-year-old left Blau-Weiß Linz following their relegation from his country's Bundesliga.

Moormann has signed a two-year contract, with the Scottish Premiership club holding the option of a further year.

He becomes the first signing under new manager Alfred Johansson and fills a gap the Swede identified in his squad.

"His fast, physical presence allows him to dominate in the area and help prevent the opposition from creating chances," Johansson told his club website.

"But he is also technically talented on the ball and is comfortable playing out in difficult situations.

"Martin fits the profile for the left-footed centre-back we need. He may be 25, but he has a lot of experience that will become useful for the team."

Moormann joined Rapid Vienna from St Pölten's academy in 2018 and went on to make 67 first-team appearances before switching to Blau-Weiß Linz two years ago.

The Austria youth cap helped his new side achieve a top-half finish for the first time in the club's history during his first season, but they finished bottom of the 12 sides in the top flight last term.

Moormann, who had two years left on his contract, made 23 appearances, scoring three goals, but found himself unused on the bench for eight of the final nine games of the season.

He is "excited" with the move to Scotland to join a "group of players [who] achieved so much last season".

Samsunspor's new offer for Elliot Watt is more than £1.7m, plus a signing bonus, which is very close to Motherwell's financial requirements, and the 26-year-old midfielder has already agreed terms. (George Tsarouchas on X, external)

Motherwell are interested in 25-year-old Blau-Weiß Linz centre-half Martin Moormann. (Mark Hendry on Substack, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanhise is attracting interest from clubs around Europe, including Anderlecht and Celtic, but no approach has yet been made for the 23-year-old. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson sees it as his role to unearth the club's next Elijah Just and Lennon Miller. (Record), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Samsunspor have made an official offer to Motherwell for 26-year-old midfielder Elliot Watt. (Resat Can Ozbudak on X, external)

Motherwell have rejected two seven-figure offers from Samsunspor for Elliot Watt, with the Fir Park club expecting at least £1.7m before considering parting with the 26-year-old midfielder. (Daily Record, external)

Elijah Just's agent has confirmed there is work going on "behind the scenes" surrounding the 26-year-old New Zealand midfielder's future with Motherwell. (Mark Hendry on Substack, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Elijah Just hopes his agent is "busy at the moment" as the New Zealand midfielder hinted at a possible summer exit from Motherwell after impressing at the World Cup.

The 26-year-old scored three times despite his side failing to qualify for the knock-out stages in the Americas.

Asked about his future on his return to Fir Park, he said: "In terms of transfer in the window, that's I guess my agent's job.

"Well, I hope he's busy at the moment and I will obviously speak with him and, in football, you never know."

Just only joined Motherwell from Danish club Horsens a year ago and is under contract until next summer, with the Scottish Premiership club having an option of extending that by a further year.

However, he had already been linked with champions Celtic before his three World Cup goals followed an impressive first season in Scottish football during which he helped Well finish fourth.

"The World Cup has given me added belief and also motivation to keep pushing," Just told the NZ Herald.

"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."

Nevertheless, Just admitted he is "looking forward to seeing all my pals and meeting the new coach" after former Rosenborg boss Alfred Johansson replaced Toulouse-bound Jens Berthel Askou.

Top clubs from Britain and France are tracking Elijah Just after the 26-year-old Motherwell midfielder starred for New Zealand at the World Cup. (NZ Herald, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Motherwell's Elijah Just has become the joint-top World Cup scorer among players based at Scottish clubs following a third goal in three games for New Zealand.

The 26-year-old netted a consolation goal as his national side were beaten 5-1 by Belgium and finished bottom of Group G with one point.

The winger previously netted both of New Zealand's goals in their 2-2 draw with Iran in the opening game.

Just moves level with Henrik Larsson, who scored three goals for Sweden while a Celtic player.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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New manager Alfred Johansson says intensity, tempo and playing out from the back will be the hallmarks of his Motherwell side.

The Fir Park outfit finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership last season under Jens Berthel Askou and Johansson expects to maintain the high standards set by his predecessor.

The former Rosenborg head coach has been impressed with the squad in his first few training sessions as he looks toward the Conference League qualifiers against Havnar Boltfelag of the Faroe Islands next month.

"That's the good thing with having a strategy as a club and trying to go in the same direction, regardless of who the manager is," the Swede said.

"I want intensity, I want tempo, I want to play out from the back, I want to be constructive in the way that we attack. We build attacks looking for advantages on an individual level, on a team level. And collectively we have to be strong units, when we press, when we have to sit a little bit deeper at times.

"The foundation is great. It's a privilege to come to a well-run locker room, to a well-run training session.

"The first real football session that we had, they ran the show by themselves in a really nice manner. So I would say that from myself, the expectation is that we'll be able to continue, we'll be able to consolidate the level.

"That's what we're looking to do and try to build as much as possible on top.

"I am Alfred and I obviously have my ideas, which will affect how the team is expressed on the pitch."

Johansson went on to state that he will have a big say in summer recruitment, both incomings and outgoings, and was adamant that top performers like Elijah Just, Tawanda Maswanhise and Elliot Watt are "committed" to Motherwell.