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Now that our 2025/26 William Hill Premiership season has reached it’s conclusion, we can provide an update on our playing squad.

Players Under Contract

• Calum Ward
• Aston Oxborough
• Matty Connelly
• Stephen O’Donnell
• Johnny Koutroumbis
• Jordan McGhee
• Paul McGinn
• Emmanuel Longelo
• Ewan Wilson
• Lukas Fadinger
• Elliot Watt
• Oscar Priestman
• Tom Sparrow
• Ibrahim Said
• Luca Ross
• Elijah Just
• Tawanda Maswanhise
• Callum Hendry
• Eythor Bjørgolfsson
• Apostolos Stamatelopoulos
• Regan Charles-Cook

Loan players returning to parent club

• Stephen Welsh

Players departing

• Kofi Balmer
• Callum Slattery
• Dylan Wells
• Sam Nicholson
• Zach Robinson

Retiring

• Andy Halliday

In discussions

• Liam Gordon
• Zander McAllister

Players who have agreed extensions

• Olly Whyte

“As the season ends, so will some of our players’ time with Motherwell Football Club,” Jens Berthel Askou stated.

“Andy Halliday has kicked his final ball as a professional, ending an impressive career in Scottish football this summer. He has made a huge impact as a leader and as a player with us. We wish him the very best going forward while thanking him for his devotion to this club.

“Callum Slattery has been here for a long time and has decided to chase new opportunities. Through his extraordinary qualities and his drive to win, he has become a star player here, popular among fans and players. His time here couldn’t have ended in a better way. We thank him for five memorable years together and wish him all the success in the future.

“Kofi Balmer spent his last six months under contract at Bristol Rovers on a successful loan. He has been a loyal and hard-working player who has always given his very best, and now he will pursue more minutes somewhere else. We wish him all the best and thank him for his commitment.

“It has been wonderful to see Sam Nicholson and Zach Robinson return to full fitness after a long spell of difficult injuries. Sam has been an important part of our group over the last couple of months but has decided to reboot his career at Livingston. Zach just made the final match day squad and is now ready to attack the next season somewhere else. We thank them both and move them on with a smile, knowing they’re back playing, doing what they love.

“Dylan Wells is another young man who has struggled with injuries but also ended up on a successful loan spell with Stirling Albion. We’re happy for him to be back playing as well and wish him all the best finding his next club to continue his development.

“Other academy players will move on and find new pathways to fulfil their potential. We thank them for their years with us and wish them all the best; excited to see them take good steps elsewhere.

“Finally, we say goodbye to our loan player, Stephen Welsh, who has made an impressive impact on our team. His composure and intelligent defending have been vital for us, and he will be remembered for being a big part of this team. Thank you, Welshy, and good luck in the future.”

An update also on our Under 19s squad.

Contract extension agreed

• Jack McConnell
• Jon Joe Friel
• Mikey Booth

Under Contract

• Aiden Tearney
• Jack Dalziel
• Aaron Thomson
• Lucas Weir
• Robbie Hunter
• Blane Watson
• Aaron Buchanan

Players Departing

• Colbi McQuarrie
• Scott Williamson
• Jay Gillies
• Arran Clark
• Andrew Arnott
• Campbell Forrest
• Rocco McColm
• Harry McLean
• Nathan Lawson
• Evan Samuel
• Olivier Wieczorek

“To all the players who are departing, we thank you for your efforts, wish you all the very best and look forward to tracking your future careers,” head of football Nick Daws added.

“We remain in discussions with a couple of players and hope to have resolutions soon. Plans are well underway for next season as we all look forward to European football returning to Fir Park. Pre-season plans will be released in due course as the excitement builds for 2026/27.

“With 22 first-team players contracted for next season, plus Jack, John Joe and Mikey agreeing to new deals, the foundations from a wonderful season remain at the club, and we’re all looking forward to getting back underway next month.”

Lukas Fadinger has signed a one-year contract extension that will see him remain at the club until 2028.

The midfielder originally signed a two-year deal when he joined the club last summer, but following a wonderful maiden season in Scottish football, he has penned a 12-month extension.

“Lukas Fadinger’s story with Motherwell is a wonderful one,” Jens Berthel Askou said.

“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 development into a dynamic line-breaking 6, scoring important goals and running for two, has made him the most used player in this season at the club.

“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 has been a crucial part of Jens Berthel Askou’s side this season, playing the most minutes of any outfield player in the Motherwell squad this season. Playing 43 games across the campaign, scoring five goals including the all-important strike against Hibernian that sealed European football, the Austrian was only unavailable for two matches in all competitions when he was suspended, whilst he missed our top-six clash with Hearts due to his partner giving birth.

“I have loved every minute here this season,” Lukas Fadinger said.

“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.”

Congratulations on the new deal, Lukas.

Callum Slattery will be moving on this summer, bringing the curtain down on a five-year stay at Fir Park.

Slattery, who arrived at the club in 2021 from Southampton, went on to make 148 appearances for the club. A year out due to an ACL injury prevented Slattery from making more appearances for the club, but he came back firing on all cylinders last season following the serious injury.

Scoring 19 goals in his time in the claret and amber, he produced some memorable moments, including the first goal in the late comeback draw against Livingston to secure top-six football in 2023, a last-minute free kick against Kilmarnock and scoring in his first match since returning from his knee injury at Hibernian.

“It’s always hard to say goodbye,” Callum Slattery said.

“I arrived here as a 21-year-old boy with little first-team football. Now, I’m leaving a man having made almost 150 appearances for the club, having countless memories and having a lot of appreciation for this football club. It has given me an unbelievable platform to go out and play regularly, and even when I was in my darkest days, it supported me throughout everything.

“To finish with those celebrations at Easter Road was the perfect ending to my five years here. I want to thank everyone at the club for what they have done for me. The fans – where do I even start?

“You have supported me through everything; you’ve had my back through thick and thin, and we’ve had some wonderful moments throughout my time here. You deserve nothing less than a good European tour next season, and I hope you all have a wonderful experience. To see the stands so busy this season has been remarkable, and I hope you can continue to support them in those large numbers next season.

“This place has been my home, and it’s a new challenge for me next season. But I’ll always be following Motherwell Football Club and hope next season is filled with more success. Best of luck and the biggest thank you to you all.”

A special player who has contributed massively to Motherwell qualifying for European football twice in his time here, Slattery leaves with our very best wishes for the future, and we are grateful for his efforts for our club.

Good luck, Callum.

Lukas Fadinger was excited about the prospect of coming to Scotland when he signed his contract 12 months ago. Michael Wimmer’s second signing, Fadinger, was keen to get started under the German manager and slot into his system. 

But the curse of football struck again, and when Wimmer departed at the end of the season suddenly, Fadinger was left waiting to see who would replace him. Despite the uncertainty, one element wasn’t. And that was his desire to still wear the claret and amber regardless of who came to the helm.

42 games later, Fadinger has thrived in a Motherwell shirt. The midfielder has missed just two games through suspension and has been available for every match. And despite a change in his regular season schedule, Fadinger hasn’t missed a beat.

“The time has flown by,” Fadinger laughed.

“This has been really new to me because I was always used to a winter break in Austria. The last couple of weeks have maybe felt a little longer because we’re getting to the end of the season, but the season as a whole has gone by quickly.

“When I joined, I was surprised by the size of the club but also the family feeling around the place. I never had any doubt about coming here even when Michael Wimmer was leaving. I was always looking forward to coming here and trying something new.

“It’s been a chance to experience a new culture and country.”

A new manager in the form of Jens Berthel Askou ensured Fadinger had to impress from the off, just the same as every player in the squad. There is also a touch of doubt from a player when a new manager comes in.

Will they play me? Do they think I’ll suit their system? What happens next?

“It was always a worry because at the end of the day, he didn’t sign me,” Fadinger explained.

“But he trusted me straight away, and I’ve played so much, and I think it’s maybe even better under Jens than it would have been under Michael. I’m pleased with my season as a whole.

“The season ranks high in my career. I was used to playing in a team that was fighting against relegation. So it’s been really different this year playing for something instead of playing to not lose something. It was my first season abroad, and that is something special, so I would rank it right up there in my career.

“I already lived six or seven hours away from my hometown when I was playing in Austria, so I’ve been used to living on my own, but of course, it’s a different country. You cannot compare, as I’ve got used to a new culture and a new language. The Scottish language wasn’t easy for me at the beginning!

“But it’s been very easy to get comfortable here because the people here are so nice and lovely. That makes things a lot easier.”

A season that ranks so high in his career, Fadinger puts a lot of that success down to Jens Berthel Askou and the style of football.

In a system that demands players to work hard, hold possession and be brave, Fadinger has ticked all the boxes.

“The manager brought in a very different but good style to play,” the midfielder stated.

“But the players, the structure and team are so good. We are just a good group of players who connect with each other on and off the pitch. We do things when we have days off. Also, the fans have helped. They’ve been amazing this year and supported us the whole year.

“I do think that’s a big reason as to why we’ve been so strong at home. There have been some unreal stats achieved at home, and that’s not a coincidence.”

Tawanda Maswanhise, Elijah Just, Elliot Watt, Calum Ward and Paul McGinn were all nominated for the PFA Team of the Year, with the two formers also up for the PFA Player of the Year award also.

All have caught the headlines this season, but Motherwell supporters strongly believe Lukas Fadinger should be in those discussions also. As a result, he is known as a bit of an underrated player on this side.

His availability and consistency have been applauded by many, and Fadinger is proud that the supporters appreciate him.

“I’m very proud that the fans like the way I play, and it gives me confidence because it’s not always like this,” the Austrian added.

“I know how fast it can go in football, so I’m happy with the situation just now. But I’m also a hard-working guy, and I’m not resting on this. We’re always trying to improve, but it’s been brilliant to play in the midfield. I think you can see that everyone actually enjoys playing.

“I’ve been in teams where you’ve been afraid of getting the ball in some situations, but this year, and with this team, everyone knows when they get the ball they have options. And for that reason, I think everyone just wants to have the ball, and it makes it so much more comfortable to play.”

The 25-year-old has achieved a lot in football, but one thing still to be ticked off is playing in a UEFA European competition. And with two games to go, Motherwell have been presented that opportunity thanks to a stunning season.

For Fadinger, achieving this would be one of his biggest achievements to date and is something he has set his targets for.

“I think all players play this game to be involved in games like that,” he added.

“You want to compete against some of the best teams and players in Europe, and for me personally, it would be one of the biggest things I’ve done so far. It’s a dream to do something like that when you’re a little kid and you’re wanting to be a professional footballer.

“Now we have reached it, it will be one of the best things in my career. It’s hard to say what the team deserves at minimum for the incredible season, but we fully deserve to achieve European football. The manager has given us the confidence to go into games like Celtic, Rangers and any team with full belief.

“I get more excited going into the games against the top teams now because I always have the feeling we can win against them. It’s just joyful, and we’re looking forward to the game.”

This section was conducted earlier this month. Two days after this interview, Lukas and his partner became parents for the first time. Congratulations to both. 

Usually, the summer holidays are spent on a beach under the sun, but this summer is looking like it’ll be very different. His partner is pregnant with his first child expected at the end of May.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Fadinger smiled.

“It’s not going to be much of a break this year because my missus is pregnant. It’s going to be a tougher break for me than usual, but I’m so excited. It’s one of the best things that can happen in life.

“She’s due at the end of the month, but it can happen anytime from now, really. We don’t have any plans to go away, and we’ll be here in Scotland for the summer. The baby will be born here, and we’ll have a good time as a three.”

It all came down to this. The final match of the Premiership season saw Motherwell travel to Easter Road, knowing a point or a win would guarantee European football and fourth place. 

Hibernian were aiming for a win that would see them pip the Steelmen to that top four spot. 2000 Motherwell fans made their way to the capital for the final chance to watch the class of 2025/26, and the signs were encouraging.

Elijah Just, Regan Charles-Cook and Elliot Watt all had chances to open the scoring, but it was Lukas Fadinger who found the opener with Motherwell deservedly in front at the interval.

The second-half saw Motherwell come flying out the traps, with Tawanda Maswanhise and Ibrahim Said going close. Stephen Welsh thought he scored the second before VAR got involved to chop the goal off.

Midfielder Watt then was shown a second yellow card with 20 minutes to go as Motherwell looked to get over the line. In the end, it was a comfortable and deserving victory for Jens Berthel Askou’s side, who can now look forward to the European Tour commencing in July.

Sam Nicholson will be joining Livingston for the 2026/27 season.

The forward has penned a deal with the Championship side for their upcoming campaign. Nicholson joined Motherwell in January 2024, initially on a loan deal.

Following a successful start to life in claret and amber, he penned a two-year deal that summer. Injury struck that would leave Nicholson sidelined for a large time at Motherwell.

After a year out, he made his return to action in January against his new club Livingston. Having worked his way back from the darkest moments, Nicholson has featured ten times in total this season, taking his appearance count to 37 in total for the club.

“First of all, I would like to thank the club, fans, players and coaches for my time here,” Sam Nicholson said.

“It’s been a tough couple of years through a complicated injury. With that, I have enjoyed my time at this fantastic club, and I just want to pass on my gratitude for the support I have received during a tough time in my career. I wish you guys all the best in the future. Enjoy Europe; you guys certainly deserve it.”

We thank Sam for all his efforts in a Motherwell shirt and wish him the very best for the future.

Motherwell clinched their spot in the Conference League next season, recording a final day 1-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road to cement fourth place in the table. 

Lukas Fadinger scored the only goal of the game after 35 minutes to seal the perfect ending to an outstanding season.

In the final-day showdown against Hibernian, Jens Berthel Askou was forced into changes. Calum Ward was unavailable following an injury sustained in the previous match against Celtic, so academy graduate Matty Connelly was named between the posts. Regan Charles-Cook was brought in to operate in the wing-back area, with Tom Sparrow moving into the back three.

Goalscorer Liam Gordon was also restored to the 11, with Stephen Welsh back in following the match against Celtic. Johnny Koutroumbis and Stephen O’Donnell dropped to the bench, as did Ibrahim Said.

The permutations were straight forward for both teams going into the match: win and you finish 4th and guarantee entry to the Conference League. A draw would have been enough for Motherwell to seal 4th, but both sides lined up looking to win.

Easter Road was sold out, including almost 2000 Motherwell fans in the away end, and those travelling supporters were given very early encouragement. Inside five minutes, Elliot Watt collected a stray pass and fed Elijah Just. The New Zealand international drove towards the goal and struck with his left foot, but the ball came agonisingly close to finding the bottom corner.

Charles-Cook came close. The Grenadian switched flanks momentarily and found himself on the left-hand side; he cut inside onto his right foot and sent a strike towards goal, aiming to find the top corner, but he failed to get enough curve on the effort, and Sallinger could watch the ball go wide.

Hibernian had a rare attack in the first-half shortly after. Martin Boyle used his pace to burst forward before sliding the pass to Nicky Cadden on his left. The full-back tried to get a shot away, but a sliding Welsh blocked the effort for a corner.

Eventually, Motherwell were rewarded for their positive play and continuous threat on the Hibs goal. Charles-Cook turned the Hibernian defender inside and out before getting to the byline; he fired a powerful pass to the edge of the box to Fadinger. The Austrian dropped the shoulder before firing past the keeper with his left-footed strike.

The Steelmen had their tails up and looked to double their lead before the half was out. The ball was worked to the edge of the box on 42 minutes, which allowed Watt some time to have a strike, but his effort went wide.

Maybe slightly aggrieved at not being further ahead after a strong first-half, Motherwell continued to look dangerous at the start of the second. Just picked up the ball and moved forward. In a three-v-two scenario, Charles-Cook laid the ball to Tawanda Maswanhise, but the Zimbabwean’s effort wasn’t quite in the corner and allowed Sallinger to save. Motherwell recycled from the clearance, with Emmanuel Longelo coming forward, he lost possession in the box, but Just was aware and pounced on a short backpass in the box and latched onto the ball.

In a frantic effort to prevent the tap-in, Sallinger forced Just wide and gathered from his shot.

Callum Slattery thought he had got the second when he connected perfectly on the volley, but Sallinger once again produced a wonderful save to deny the midfielder.

Nobody could question Motherwell being the better team, and frankly, they should have been out of sight in the match. And on 61 minutes, they thought they had the three points in the bag. A corner was delivered into the box from Callum Slattery. Sallinger got a punch on the ball, but he could only clear as far as Welsh, who guided his header into the net.

Following some terrific celebrations in the away end, VAR got involved and instructed Nick Walsh to come to the monitor for a potential foul on the keeper. After a look, Walsh ruled the goal out, and Hibernian could breathe a sigh of relief.

Having dominated for most of the game, it looked like the afternoon could be getting away from Motherwell when Watt was shown a second yellow for a tackle on Miguel Chaiwa on 67 minutes. The Hibernian players got a boost but, in all honesty, failed to capitalise on the extra man.

Dane Scarlett went closest when, using a clever free-kick routine, he darted wide in the box to create an angle for a short free-kick pass and smashed it goalwards. Tom Sparrow was there to block the ball a couple of yards out from the goal.

Ibrahim Said went close for Motherwell, who were still looking for a second goal. The Nigerian was left free in the box from a corner, and his header came back off the post.

On his Premiership debut, Connelly remained cool and dominant in his penalty area as he continued to come for crosses and allow the Motherwell backline to reset when required.

In the end, Motherwell saw out the remaining minutes knowing that European football was confirmed, which allowed all 2000 fans to celebrate with the squad at full time as they all look forward to the European draws next month.

Motherwell Team: Connelly, Charles-Cook, Sparrow, Gordon, Welsh, Longelo, Fadinger, Watt, Slattery, Just, Maswanhise. 

Motherwell Subs: Oxborough, Koutroumbis, O’Donnell, Ross, Priestman, Hendry, Said, Robinson, Nicholson.

Post match reaction from the manager as Motherwell defeat Hibernian to claim fourth place in the Scottish Premiership.

The final matchday of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign is upon us, and the women of steel will welcome Aberdeen this weekend, as they contest the season finale at the Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park on Sunday.

Securing victory over closest-rivals, Montrose last weekend, Iain Robinson’s side had almost mathematically secured their place at the top of the split, one-point shy of the three-point lead necessary to make a seventh-place finish a mathematical certainty.

A quickfire Tegan Browning, and Carla Boyce double sealed a narrow 2-1 victory on the North-East coast, as Motherwell earned their fifth consecutive victory.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Languishing closely toward the relegation-playoff place prior to the opening post-split fixture, Motherwell were potentially one result from falling towards the bottom-two, but have since showcased an exceptional resurgence, rising to the top of the split, twice defeating Montrose, Hamilton, and once against the Dons.

Scoring 18-goals across the post-split campaign, whilst conceding only five, Motherwell have become a formidable adversary in the split, and will be focused on achieving a perfect post-split record this weekend.

This weekend’s contest will mark an historic moment for Motherwell captain, Gill Inglis, who will hang up her boots after a remarkable career in the women’s game – captaining Motherwell for seven consecutive seasons, whilst leading the team out onto the Hampden park turf on two occasions.

A historical top-six campaign last season marked Gill in the history books of the club, captaining Motherwell to their highest-ever league finish in the Scottish game.

Aberdeen

An assured victory over Motherwell in the final matchday before the split had the Dons heading into the post-split campaign, with confidence of achieving top-flight survival, but their momentum has since subsided.

Scott Booth’s side have since suffered three defeats, defeating only already relegated Hamilton Accies both in Lanarkshire and the Granite City.

They will contest the relegation playoff’s this campaign, with the squad currently seven-points adrift of Montrose.

Ticket Information 

Tickets can be purchased through the matchday turnstiles at the Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park. Both cash and card payments are accepted.

• Adult – £10.
• Concession (Over-65s and Under-17s) – £5.
• Under-11 – FREE TO ENTER.

Additional Information – no pets allowed within The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park.

Matchday Travel 

• Sunday 17^th May 20276, kick-off 4PM.
• The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park, Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ.
• First Glasgow service No.21 stops at Jura Slip Road, a 10-minute walk from the stadium. East Kilbride railway station is approx. 20 mins away on foot.
• Free on-site parking is available, with overflow parking signposted at the park entrance. Please follow the one-way system upon your exit.
• Selection of hot food, baking, confectionary and both hot and cold drinks available at the kiosk before and during the match.

Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account.

Johnny Koutroumbis is excited about the final day showdown with Hibernian, and expects both sides will be setting up to go out for the win. 

Koutroumbis gives his thoughts on VAR and how players need to deal with the big decisions.