2025–26 Motherwell F.C. season

Motherwell
2025–26 season
ChairmanKyrk Macmillan
ManagerJens Berthel Askou
StadiumFir Park
PremiershipPreseason
Scottish CupPreseason
League CupPreseason

The 2025–26 season is Motherwell's forty-first consecutive season in the top flight of Scottish football, having been promoted from the Scottish First Division at the end of the 1984–85 season.

Season review

Preseason

On 23 May, Motherwell confirmed that Manager Michael Wimmer had left the club to take up a similar role at SSV Jahn Regensburg.[1]

On 26 May, Motherwell announced that they would return to Delden in the Netherlands for a pre-season camp, during which they would face FC Twente and an as unnamed club.[2]

On 27 May, Motherwell announced the signing of Lukas Fadinger on a free-transfer from Rheindorf Altach, to a two-year contract.[3]

On 28 May, Motherwell announced that Shane Blaney, Ross Callachan, Mark Ferrie, Max Ross, Brannan McDermott, Zack Flatman, Derin Marshall, Ross Nelson and Zack Tomany would all leave the club at the end of their contracts. Olly Whyte, Campbell Forrest, Mikey Booth and Scott Williamson had extended their contracts, whilst contract discussions where on going with Steve Seddon, Dan Casey, Dominic Thompson, Davor Zdravkovski, Harry Paton and Moses Ebiye.[4]

June

On 2 June, Motherwell announced the signing of Jordan McGhee on a free-transfer after his Dundee contract had expired, on a contract until the summer of 2027 with the option of another year.[5]

On 3 June, Motherwell announced that they would play Carlisle United in a behind-closed doors friendly at Fir Park on 8 July.[6]

On 9 June, Motherwell confirmed that Dan Casey had turned down a new contract from Motherwell in order to pursue options down in England.[7]

On 12 June, Motherwell announced the appointment of Jens Berthel Askou as their new manager.[8]

On 16 June, Motherwell confirmed that Steve Seddon, Harry Paton, Davor Zdravkovski and Moses Ebiye had all left the club after their contracts hadn't been renewed.[9]

On 26 June, Motherwell announced the signing of Elliot Watt to a two-year contract, with an option of a third, after his contract with Burton Albion was terminated.[10][11]

On 30 June, Motherwell announced that Matthew Connelly had signed a new one-year contract with the club.[12]

July

On 3 July, Motherwell announced that they had signed professional contracts with Aiden Tearney, Jack Dalziel, Aaron Thomson, Lucas Weir, Robbie Hunter, Blane Watson and Aaron Buchanan. At the same time, Motherwell also announced that they had signed amateur contracts with Evan Samuel, Olivier Wieczorek and Kali Fraser-Traljic.[13]

On 7 July, Motherwell announced the signing of Eseosa Sule on a season-long loan deal from West Bromwich Albion.[14]

On 9 July, Motherwell announced the signing of Elijah Just from AC Horsens to a two-year contract, with the option of a third, for an undisclosed fee.[15]

On 10 July, Motherwell announced the signing of Emmanuel Longelo from Birmingham City to a two-year contract, with the option of a third, for an undisclosed fee.[16]

Squad

As of match played 18 May 2025
No. Name Nationality Position Date of birth (Age) Signed from Signed in Contract ends Apps. Goals
Goalkeepers
1 Aston Oxborough GK (1998-05-09) 9 May 1998 Unattached 2022[17] 2027(+1)[18] 32 0
13 Calum Ward GK (2000-10-17) 17 October 2000 Unattached 2025[19] 2026 (+1)[20] 0 0
31 Matthew Connelly GK (2003-03-02) 2 March 2003 Academy 2019 2026[12] 0 0
Defenders
2 Stephen O'Donnell DF (1992-05-11) 11 May 1992 Kilmarnock 2020[21] 2026[22] 183 5
4 Liam Gordon DF (1996-01-26) 26 January 1996 St Johnstone 2024[23] 2026[23] 33 1
5 Kofi Balmer DF (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 Unattached 2024[24] 2026 (+1)[24] 24 1
6 Jordan McGhee DF (1996-07-24) 24 July 1996 Unattached 2025[5] 2027(+1)[5] 0 0
16 Paul McGinn DF (1990-10-22) 22 October 1990 Hibernian 2022[25] 2026[26] 92 2
22 John Koutroumbis DF (1998-03-06) 6 March 1998 Unattached 2024[27] 2026[27] 8 0
23 Ewan Wilson DF (2004-11-19) 19 November 2004 Academy 2021[28] 2027 (+1)[29] 41 1
45 Emmanuel Longelo DF (2000-12-27) 27 December 2000 Birmingham City 2025[16] 2027[16] 0 0
Midfielders
7 Tom Sparrow MF (2002-12-06) 6 December 2002 Unattached 2024[30] 2027 (+1)[31] 37 6
8 Callum Slattery MF (1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 Southampton 2021[32] 2026[22] 110 15
11 Andy Halliday MF (1991-10-11) 11 October 1991 Heart of Midlothian 2024[33] 2026[20] 60 5
12 Lukas Fadinger MF (2000-09-27) 27 September 2000 Rheindorf Altach 2025[3] 2027[3] 0 0
20 Elliot Watt MF (2000-03-11) 11 March 2000 Burton Albion 2025[10] 2027(+1)[10] 0 0
21 Elijah Just MF (2000-05-01) 1 May 2000 AC Horsens 2025[15] 2027(+1)[15] 0 0
26 Olly Whyte MF (2006-11-27) 27 November 2006 Academy 2023 0 0
27 Dylan Wells MF (2006-03-20) 20 March 2006 Academy 2022[34] 2026[35][36] 6 0
38 Lennon Miller MF (2006-08-25) 25 August 2006 Academy 2022[34] 2026[37] 76 6
Forwards
9 Apostolos Stamatelopoulos FW (1999-04-09) 9 April 1999 Newcastle Jets 2024[38] 2027[38] 18 5
14 Zach Robinson FW (2002-06-11) 11 June 2002 Unattached 2024[39] 2026[39] 19 2
15 Eseosa Sule FW (2006-04-01) 1 April 2006 on loan from West Bromwich Albion 2025[14] 2026[14] 0 0
17 Filip Stuparević FW (2000-08-30) 30 August 2000 Unattached 2024[40] 2026[40] 4 1
18 Tawanda Maswanhise FW (2002-11-20) 20 November 2002 Unattached 2024[41] 2026(+1)[42] 34 6
19 Sam Nicholson FW (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 Colorado Rapids 2024[43] 2026[43] 26 2
28 Luca Ross FW (2006-08-11) 11 August 2006 Academy 2022[34] 2027[44] 5 1
Development team
29 Mikey Booth MF (2007-08-25) 25 August 2007 Academy 2023 0 0
30 Campbell Forrest MF (2007-10-10) 10 October 2007 Academy 2023 0 0
32 Scott Williamson DF (2007-03-12) 12 March 2007 Academy 2023 0 0
33 Andrew Arnott DF (2008-05-07) 7 May 2008 Academy 2024[45] 0 0
34 Harry McLean FW (2008-06-19) 19 June 2008 Academy 2024[45] 0 0
35 Jon-Joe Friel DF (2008-02-02) 2 February 2008 Academy 2024[45] 0 0
36 Jay Gillies DF (2008-02-05) 5 February 2008 Academy 2024[45] 0 0
37 Nathan Lawson FW (2008-02-24) 24 February 2008 Academy 2024[45] 0 0
39 Zander McAllister MF (2008-04-22) 22 April 2008 Academy 2024[45] 0 0
41 Jack McConnell GK (2008-06-20) 20 June 2008 Academy 2024[45] 0 0
42 Rocco McColm MF (2008-09-29) 29 September 2008 Academy 2024[45] 0 0
52 Arran Clark FW (2008-02-24) 24 February 2008 Academy 2025 0 0
Aiden Tearney DF Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Jack Dalziel DF Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Aaron Thomson DF Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Lucas Weir MF Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Robbie Hunter MF Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Blane Watson MF Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Aaron Buchanan MF Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Evan Samuel FW Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Olivier Wieczorek FW Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Kali Fraser-Traljic FW Academy 2025[13] 0 0
Left during the season

Transfers

For those players sold, released or contract ended before the start of this season, see 2024–25 Motherwell F.C. season.

In

Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref
27 May 2025[a] MF Lukas Fadinger Rheindorf Altach Free [3]
2 June 2025 DF Jordan McGhee Unattached Free [5]
26 June 2025 MF Elliot Watt Burton Albion Free [10]
9 July 2025 MF Elijah Just AC Horsens Undisclosed [15]
10 July 2025 DF Emmanuel Longelo Birmingham City Undisclosed [16]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
7 July 2025 FW Eseosa Sule West Bromwich Albion End of season [14]

Released

Date Position Nationality Name Joined Date Ref.
16 June 2025 DF Steve Seddon AFC Wimbledon 24 June 2025 [9][46]
16 June 2025 MF Harry Paton [9]
16 June 2025 MF Davor Zdravkovski [9]
16 June 2025 FW Moses Ebiye [9]
  1. ^ Transfer announced on the shown date, becoming official on 1 July 2025.

Friendlies

1 July 2025 Twente 3–0 Motherwell Beckum, Netherlands
18:00 BST (UTC+1) Report van Wolfswinkel 12'
Ünüvar 73', 90'
Stadium: Sportpark De Kruudnhof
8 July 2025 Motherwell 1–0 Carlisle United Motherwell
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Halliday 74' (pen.) Report Stadium: Fir Park
Attendance: 0
Note: Match played behind closed doors.[6]
25 July 2025 Motherwell v Hertha Berlin Motherwell
19:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Fir Park

Competitions

Overview

Competition First match Last match Starting round Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Premiership 2025 Matchday 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
Scottish Cup 2026 Fourth round 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
League Cup 2025 Group Stage 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !

Last updated: 18 May 2025
Source: Soccerway

Premiership

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
8 Kilmarnock 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Livingston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Motherwell 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Rangers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the Premiership play-off final
12 St Mirren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Relegation to Championship
First match(es) will be played: 2 August 2025. Source: [47][48]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only if deciding champion, UEFA competition qualification, second stage group allocation, or relegation).[49]
Notes:
  1. ^ Teams play each other three times (33 matches), before the league is split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six).

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Last updated: 18 May 2025.
Source: SPFL

Results

On 20 June, the fixture list was released, with Motherwell starting their campaign at home to Rangers on 2 August, with the their last game of the first phase being scheduled for 11 April away to Heart of Midlothian.[50]

2 August 2025 1 Motherwell v Rangers Motherwell
17:30 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Fir Park

Scottish Cup

2026 Fourth round v
GMT (UTC)

League Cup

Group stage

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MOT GMO STE PET CLY
1 Motherwell 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the second round 22 Jul 15 Jul
2 Greenock Morton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible qualification for the second round 15 Jul 26 Jul
3 Stenhousemuir 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 Jul 26 Jul
4 Peterhead 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 Jul 19 Jul
5 Clyde 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 Jul 22 Jul
First match(es) will be played: 12 July 2025. Source: [51]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[52]
12 July 2025 1 Clyde v Motherwell Hamilton
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: New Douglas Park
Note: Match to be streamed on live on Premier Sports.[53]
15 July 2025 2 Motherwell v Peterhead Motherwell
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Fir Park
Note: Match to be streamed on live on Premier Sports.[53]
19 July 2025 3 Stenhousemuir v Motherwell Stenhousemuir
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Ochilview Park
Note: Match to be streamed on live on Premier Sports.[53]
22 July 2025 4 Motherwell v Greenock Morton Motherwell
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Fir Park
Note: Match to be shown live on Premier Sports 1.[53]

Squad statistics

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Heading Back to Delden for 2025 Pre-Season". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "Lukas Fadinger is a Steelman". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  4. ^ "2024/25 end of season squad update". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d "Jordan McGhee arrives in ML1". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b "FRIENDLY FIXTURE AGAINST CARLISLE CONFIRMED". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Dan Casey leaves". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
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  9. ^ a b c d e "Player departures". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d "Elliot Watt becomes our latest signing". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  11. ^ "WATT JOINS MOTHERWELL". burtonalbionfc.co.uk. Burton Albion F.C. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  12. ^ a b "MATTY CONNELLY SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "SEVEN ACADEMY GRADUATES SIGN PROFESSIONAL DEALS". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
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  34. ^ a b c "Ten 2022/23 Academy Graduates Turn Professional". motherwellfc.co.uk/. Motherwell F.C. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  35. ^ "Dylan Wells Agrees Two-Year Extension". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
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  40. ^ a b "Filip Stuparevic Has Arrived". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  41. ^ "Tawanda Maswanhise completes ML1 move". motherwellfc.co.uk/. Motherwell F.C. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
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  44. ^ "Luca Ross agrees two-year deal". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
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  46. ^ "Steve signs for third spell". afcwimbledon.co.uk. AFC Wimbledon. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  47. ^ "Scottish Premiership Table". BBC.
  48. ^ "Premiership League Table". Scottish Professional Football League.
  49. ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League (Rule Number C35-C37)" (PDF). SPFL. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  50. ^ "2025/26 Premiership fixtures confirmed". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  51. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  52. ^ "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  53. ^ a b c d "We're bringing you extended coverage of the Premier Sports Cup Group Stage again this year!". x.com/PremSportsTV. Premier Sports Twitter. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.