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Motherwell have made their fourth signing of the January window, with Japanese forward Riku Danzaki joining the club on a two-and-a-half year deal, subject to international clearance.

If that clearance is granted prior to our match with St Mirren, Danzaki would be eligible for selection for the game in Paisley.

Danzaki came through the ranks at Aomori Yamada High School before joining J1 League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in 2019.

The 22-year-old made 11 appearances in all competitions in his first year, scoring one goal.

He joined A-League side Brisbane Roar for his first spell in Australia, where he score nine goals in 26 games, netting him the clubs Golden Boot winner for that season.

After impressing in Australia, he joined J2 League side JEF United Chiba on loan. His spell would be hampered by injury and he would only make four appearances for the club before returning to his parent side.

Back fully fit, Danzaki returned to Brisbane Roar for a second time on loan in 2022. He has made 13 appearances netting once before having is loan terminated early, making the permanent switch to Scotland, becoming Motherwell’s first ever Japanese player.

“Riku is one we’ve tracked for a significant period of time and we’re delighted to have it finally confirmed,” manager Steven Hammell said.

“He’s got really positive attributes and a different style to others we have in that area of the pitch.

“He is an energetic, hard-working technical player who has an eye for goal. He has spent the last few days with us, and already he’s fitting in well.

“We are looking forward to working with him over the next couple of years.”

Danzaki will wear the number 14 strip.

マザーウェルは、1月のウィンドウで4人目の契約となる日本人フォワード檀崎竜孔を国際移籍の手続きを経て2年半の契約で獲得した。

セントミレンとの試合前に国際許可が下りれば、ペイズリーで行われる試合に出場することができる。

檀崎は青森山田高校を経て、2019年にJ1リーグの北海道コンサドーレ札幌に入団した。
1年目から公式戦11試合に出場し1ゴールを挙げている。

その後、Aリーグのブリスベン・ロアーに移籍し26試合に出場して9得点を挙げ同シーズンのゴールデンブーツ賞を獲得した。

翌年にはJ2リーグのジェフユナイテッド千葉にレンタル移籍した。
しかしながら怪我などもあり4試合の出場にとどまり退団となった。

そして2022年、再びブリスベン・ロアーにレンタル移籍する。13試合に出場し1得点を挙げたが、レンタル契約を打ち切りスコットランドに移籍し、
マザーウェル初の日本人選手となった。

スティーブン・ハメル監督は、「リクは、我々が長い間追い求めていた選手であり、最終的に獲得が決定したことを嬉しく思っている」と語った。

「彼はとてもポジティブな特性を持っており、他の選手とは異なるスタイルを持っている。」

「エネルギッシュで勤勉な選手でゴールを狙う視座を持っている。彼はここ数日我々と一緒に過ごしているがすでにうまく溶け込んでいる。」

「今後数年間、彼と一緒に仕事ができることを楽しみにしている。」

檀崎は背番号14番のシャツを纏うことになる。

Our cinch Premiership match with Rangers on 18 March, will now kick-off at 12:30pm. 

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Steven Hammell was thrilled to see his side progress to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, but now wants his team to use that win to springboard their cinch Premiership campaign. 

A positive week has been spent on the training pitch with the group and Hammell wants to see the togetherness and competitiveness that his squad have.

Shane Blaney made his Motherwell debut last weekend and is now feeling match fit and ready to get cracking. 

The Irish defender signed from Sligo last month but with Irish league finishing in November, he hasn’t had a pre-season and has been biding his time to make his debut.

After a strong 90 minutes against Arbroath, Blaney now want Motherwell to climb that table as he feels the squad is better than the position they currently occupy in the cinch Premiership.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former player Benny Cairney. 

Born on 16 October 1945, Cairney started his footballing journey with junior side Thorniwood United.

After impressing with United, Leicester City came calling and the forward moved south of the border to Filbert Street.

He returned north where he was given a three month contract by Celtic, who at that time were managed by Jock Stein. He went on to make eight appearances for their reserve side, scoring on his debut.

Finding it difficult to break into the first-team, then Motherwell boss Bobby Howitt offered him a trial at Fir Park in 1965 where he earned a contract with the club.

Playing alongside John Martis and Willie Hunter, he struck up a fruitful partnership with Dixie Deans. Cairney went on to make 54 appearances for the Steelmen, scoring 11 goals before earning a transfer to Wigan Athletic 1968.

Our thoughts are with his wife Teresa, his four children Daniel, Elaine, Michael & Paul and his family and friends at this sad time.

Motherwell travel down the M8 to Edinburgh on Sunday 29 January to take on Spartans at Ainslie Park. 

Kick off is 1pm.

How to follow the game

There is no option to buy tickets online prior to the match.

Ticket admission prices are £7 on the gate with concessions priced at £4.

Children and Under 16s are free. Card and cash is accepted on the gate.

Story of the match

Spartans and Motherwell are level on points in the SWPL table, with both sides on 16 points after 15 games.

Motherwell are unbeaten in their last four matches with Spartans, with their most recent fixture ending in a 2-2 draw back in October.

Spartans recorded an impressive derby victory against Hibernian on Sunday, coming away with a 2-1 victory. That was Spartans’ first win in five games.

Motherwell ended a tough seven days with a 7-0 loss to Rangers. The women of steel claimed a point against Celtic on the road just three days prior.

Barry Maguire has joined Dundee on loan until the end of the season.

The versatile midfielder joins the cinch Championship side who are currently third in the table, five points off automatic promotion.

Maguire has made 14 appearances this season, starting five matches.

“I’m pleased we have managed to get this move sorted for Barry,” manager Steven Hammell said.

“It’s a team fighting for promotion to the Premiership and a chance for him to get regular minutes on the pitch.

“Barry is an excellent professional, who puts in extra hours away from the football pitch and I know he will give it his all at Dens Park.”

After a lengthy time away from the action, our development team were in action against Hamilton in the cinch Reserve League cup. 

Failing to take a barrel load of chances in the first half, Hamilton scored the opener with their first sniff at goal just before half time.

After conceding a sloppy second goal, Motherwell continued to create but it would only be Kian Speirs who would get on the scoresheet.

Stuart Kettlewell insists there was elements of the games he was happy with and that his side should have won, however was left frustrated that his team didn’t make the most of their openings.

We return to league action with the short journey to Paisley to take on St Mirren at the SMISA Stadium.

The match will take place on Saturday 28 January 2023.

Kick-off is 3.00pm.

Ticket Prices

Tickets will are available to buy online by clicking here.

• Concessions are under 13-17 year olds, over 65, and full-time students.
• Juniors are under 12s
• Any supporter requiring wheelchair/PA or Ambulant and Carer tickets can purchase through St Mirren Ticket Office, priced at a concession ticket (with PA free of charge).
• Ambulant support will be sold at age-appropriate price with PA free of charge.

How to follow game online

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

The Story of the Match

‘Well go into this one on the back of a cup win over Arbroath at the weekend.

Both teams are hunting a much needed league win, with neither side managing a win in their last five cinch Premiership matches.

The last time the two sides met at SMiSA Stadium was the first game of the season – with Steven Hammell in interim charge – where the Steelmen won 0-1 thanks to a Kevin van Veen penalty and some heroics from Liam Kelly in the Motherwell goal.

Match Officials

• Referee: John Beaton
• AR1: Calum Spence
• AR2: David Doig
• Fourth Official: Colin Steven
• VAR: Grant Irvine
• AVAR: Alan Mulvanny

It was a tale of missed opportunities for a young Motherwell development team as they sunk to a 2-1 defeat against Hamilton Accies on Tuesday afternoon in the cinch Reserve League cup. 

Myles Gaffney and Ryan One had Accies 2-0 up in the early stages of the second half before Kian Speirs pulled one back. Controversy would strike with almost the last kick of the ball as Ally Gould’s goal was ruled out for offside despite being played on by two Hamilton defenders.

Motherwell started the game brightly and looked to get the opening right from the off. Shay Nevans was first to go close.

The young winger cut inside before driving a left footed strike towards goal, but his effort came crashing off the bar.

Logan Dunachie was next to try his luck. A cross into the box found the towering centre half but his header was cleared away before it could cross the line.

Motherwell continued to create, Speirs picked up the ball 20 yards from goal and had a go. His strike looked destined for the top corner but wastipped away by the keeper.

David Devine, currently on loan at Alloa, tried to convert in the middle of a scramble in the Accies penalty area but couldn’t find the back of the net with his shot.

Accies made Motherwell pay for missed chances just short of half time. Dunachie’s header back to keeper Aston Oxborough was intercepted with Gaffney scoring from Hamilton’s first chance of the match.

In the second half, the hosts doubled their advantage. Half time sub One finished at the near post past Oxborough after the Motherwell backline failed to clear their lines. 2-0.

Speirs looked to get one back but seen his 1v1 effort saved by the Accies stopper.

Full-back Ewan Wilson found himself in an advanced position but dragged his shot from the left hand side of the box wide.

Motherwell had a penalty shout somehow turned down when Mo Adam was fouled in the area but the referee signalled for free kick and adjudged the foul to have occurred from outside the box.

Speirs did eventually pull one back on 66 minutes. His strike from inside the box took a slight deflection and found the bottom corner to give Motherwell a path back into the game.

Continued pressure from Motherwell but no second goal was increasing frustration amongst the Motherwell squad and that was only enhanced in stoppage time.

Speirs, again at the heart of the attack, picked up the ball before finding Gould at the back post who finished on the volley to level the game. His celebration was cut short when the linesman raised the flag for offside and left Motherwell perplexed as to the reason.