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Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm the signing of attacking midfielder Craig Tanner on a two-year deal.

The attacker is the Steelmen’s third signing of the summer window as the manager looks to rebuild his squad for the 2017/18 campaign.

The 22-year-old, who plays in behind the striker or on the wing, joins from Reading after an already promising career so far.

Tanner joined the Royals’ youth academy back in 2003 and spent 14-years with the club to date, making five appearances for the first-team including scoring on his debut against Newport.

However, the vast majority of his playing time career has been spent on loan at Plymouth Argyle, where the Englishman scored twelve goals in forty-one starts from deep across two spells at Home Park.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Tanner said: “I’m delighted to have joined, having good talks about the club with Stephen Robinson and Martin Foyle. It’s a good day for me.

“I have a really positive feeling about the club and feel they are really building for the future.”

The new arrival provides Stephen Robinson with an exciting, creative, attacking option in midfield, which is something manager Robinson was keen to recruit to give his side a variety of options.

The ‘Well boss added: “Craig is a good signing for us and gives us something different again.

“He can unlock doors, playing in little pockets across the front three, left side/right side or in behind the striker.

“He is a really good signing for the club”

The Ticket office is open today (Saturday) between 10am – 1pm for fans wishing to buy or renew their 2017/18 Season Ticket.

Pre Early Bird Season Ticket sales are almost 15% on the same period last year and we want to continue that push throughout the summer.

*Please note, concessions are applicable to over 60s, full-time students with a valid matriculation card and 16 to 18 year olds.. ‘Junior’ age of Under 16 is applicable as at 1st August 2016.

Motherwell have been drawn together with Morton, Edinburgh City, Berwick Rangers and Queen’s Park in Group F of the Betfred Cup.

Stephen Robinson’s men face a tough test against Play-off participants Morton as well as a first competitive meeting with Edinburgh City.

Each team will face four group matches, two at home and two away. The usual 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw applies but there is the addition of a penalty shootout for a bonus point if the score is level after 90 minutes.

Eight group winners automatically qualify, alongside the four best runners-up, which is how the Steelmen progressed last year after finishing behind Rangers.

The pencilled dates for matches are the 15th July, 19th July, 22nd July, 26th July and 29th July. Details of exact fixtures should be published next week, with ticketing information to follow shortly after.

The Steelmen have also confirmed three of our four pre-season friendly fixtures, with games against Stirling (A) on the 1st July, Livingston (A) on the 4th July. That will be followed by a game away to English side Gateshead on the 8th July with one match still to be confirmed on Tue/Wed 11th and 12th July.

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson spoke of his delight at securing his first two new recruits of the summer.

Inverness Caley’s top-scorer Alex Fisher and Coventry City’s Player of the Year Gaël Bigirimana have both signed on two-year deals.

Both rejected lucrative offers from elsewhere, instead opting to join the Steelmen for the new 2017/18 campaign.

And the former Northern Irish National team assistant was quick to heap praise on both: “We aren’t able to offer the best wages about, but what we did is sell a vision of what we want to do and the togetherness we want to bring to the football club.”

Expanding on Alex Fisher, the Fir Park gaffer said: “His stats in terms of how he finished the season, 8 goals in 9 games, Speaks for itself.

“However, what impressed me very much was the different type of goals that he scored. He’s played in the Scottish Premiership, so is familiar with the league and will give us height and strength in attack.

[pullquote]“We aren’t able to offer the best wages about, but what we did is sell a vision of what we want to do and the togetherness we want to bring to the football club.”[/pullquote]

“He is someone we identified early and did our homework on. I watched all of his games and he really impressed me. I’ve also spoke to a number of people in the game about him and they couldn’t speak higher of him. He’s a great lad and will be a good addition to our dressing room.”

And on the capture of the Burundi International, the 42-year old said: “He’s another who we have had several attempts at recruiting; it’s a big, big coup for us to get Gael here.

“He brings a real composure to the midfield, something that perhaps we’ve missed, someone to dictate and run the game.

“He certainly provide that, but he also bring energy and a vast amount of experience at a good level for such a young guy.

“He’s showed a real hunger and desire to come and play with us and I am really looking forward to working with him.”

Motherwell FC can confirm James McFadden has left his role as Assistant Manager after his contract expired this week.

The 48-times capped former Scotland front man was appointed by Mark McGhee as his number two earlier in the season, on a deal until the end of the 2016/17 campaign.

The 34-year old was retained by Stephen Robinson after a managerial change back in February, but both have amicably agreed to part following the conclusion to the season.

Robinson said: “James and I have worked together over the last few months, but I feel a change and something a bit different will be beneficial to the squad at this moment in time.

“It’s a tough call because James is a top lad and he’s done so much for the club.

“We both had a good, open and honest chat after the game at Inverness; James is at the start of his coaching pathway, still doing his badges and qualifications, and I have no doubt he will make a very good manager one day.

“We’ve left each other on good terms.”

[pullquote]James and I have worked together over the last few months, but I feel a change and something a bit different will be beneficial to the squad at this moment in time.[/pullquote]

McFadden himself said: “I’ve enjoyed my time as Assistant at the club. I was asked to stay on when the manager changed earlier this year and I agreed to do that because the club was and is the most important thing.

“I spoke with the manager at length after the last game and we talked about where I see myself now and what my aspirations are going forward, so I will take the summer to weigh everything up.

“I’d like to thank the club, and Mark McGhee, for the opportunity and wish Stephen, the players and everyone at Fir Park all the best for the future.”

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to sincerely thank James for all his hard work across his most recent spell at Fir Park and wish him all the very best in his future career.

Motherwell FC is delighted to confirm midfielder Gaël Bigirimana has joined the club on a two-year deal.

The 23-year old Burundi International joins the Steelmen on a Bosman free from English League One side Coventry City, rejecting several offers from clubs south of the border.

Bigirimana was born in the Central African country, but moved to the United Kingdom in 2004 and signed for Coventry a year later, eventually making his debut for the Sky Blues in August 2011.

A year later, English Premier League side Newcastle reportedly paid a seven-figure fee for the midfielder, signing him on a five-year contract.

He played both in the Premier League and in the Europa League for the Toon, scoring his first senior goal against Wigan in December 2012.

In February 2015, Rangers beat off competition from the Steelmen to take Bigirimana on loan, but illness at that time prevented him playing any football whilst in Scotland.

He was soon back at Coventry though, firstly on loan then eventually on a permanent transfer, the highlight of his second spell coming in a scoring performance in the 2016-17 EFL Trophy Final against Oxford United, which Coventry went on to win 2-1 back in April 2017. He finished the campaign winning several of the Cov Player of the Year awards!

Despite representing England at youth International level, Bigirimana has one cap to his name when he represented Burundi against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Speaking of his move back north, Gaël said: “I’m very excited and first of all I thank God for this. I know Motherwell has a great history and I look forward to pulling on the top.”

He added: “I’ve met the manager before when he was at Oldham and I was playing for Coventry, I had a really good game and afterwards he came up to me and told me that but I told him it wasn’t even my best yet.”

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson added: “Gaël is a super signing for us, he gives us something we’ve been missing in midfield and comes with a great pedigree, having played at a very good level.

“His desire to come and play for Motherwell and to the Scottish Premiership sold him to me just as much as his ability – Gael is a real coup for Motherwell.”

Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm the capture of striker Alex Fisher on a two-year contract.

The 6ft 3-inch front man was most recently with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he finished top goal scorer last term.

The 26-year old has certainly clocked up the air miles in his ten year career thus far.

After coming through the ranks and eventually playing for Oxford United, the Londoner moved to Spain and had a prolific season with lower-league side Jerez Industrial Club de Fútbol.

He was quickly on the move again though, and spent the next two years in Belgium, playing for KVK Tienen, KRC Mechelen and, latterly, with K.S.K. Heist. It was whilst in Antwerp his form caught the eye of Italian Lega Pro side A.C. Monza Brianza.

He spent a year in northern Italy before returning home to the United Kingdom for spells with both Mansfield Town and Torquay United.

In January 2016, then Caley boss John Hughes took him to the Scottish Highlands, although an early injury ruled him out of the second half of the 2015/16 campaign.

Fisher finished the current season on fire and ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson had to battle off stiff competition from both the SPFL Premiership and the English League One to secure his signature.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Fisher said: “It’s fantastic, I spoke to the gaffer at the end of the season, had a good talk and I’m delighted to get this move over the line.”

“It’s a big club with a great fanbase and good history and when I spoke to the manager and he told me about his plans for this season I knew I wanted to be a part of it so it was an easy decision.”

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson added: “I’m delighted to welcome Alex to the club and he will add a bit of firepower to the side.

“He scored 8 goals in 9 games at the end of last season, and there’s a variation in his goals as well, so we’ve got ourselves a terrific first signing.”

The Motherwell squad will head to Ireland for a weeklong training camp as preparations get underway for the new 2017-18 campaign.

Stephen Robinson will take a new-look squad across the Irish Sea to the exclusive Carton House resort, located 20km outside Dublin, for a week of intensive training at the end of this month.

Carton House has a unrivalled reputation and has hosted some of the world’s biggest clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea and even the Brazilian National team.

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson, who is familiar with resort having used it as a base whilst Northern Irish assistant before Euro 2016, said: “Preparation and organisation is huge for me and after reviewing everything about last season, it’s [going away for a pre-season camp] something I feel we probably missed.

[pullquote]“The whole resort is first class and, just as important to me, it’s conducive to a concentrated, hard-working environment.[/pullquote]

“I think the time together, working hard, bonding and getting to know each other is extremely important, particularly if you’re recruiting a lot of new players.

“I’ve had first hand experience of Carton House and I can honestly say I have never worked in a better football facility anywhere in the world. You only need to look at the teams who will follow us in the weeks after we leave; it’s who’s who of EPL clubs.

“The whole resort is first class and, just as important to me, it’s conducive to a concentrated, hard-working environment.

“We’ll put the lads through their paces. We won’t play games as I want to concentrate fully on getting the squad as fit as possible and as soon as we return, we’ll go immediately into pre-season matches.”

The club will announce the first of its pre-season fixtures following the Betfred Cup draw on Friday night.

Motherwell FC have been listed as a top seeded side in the South Section ahead of the Betfred Cup draw on Friday afternoon.

The Steelmen are joined by Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock and Hamilton Academical as the South Section top-seeded outfits.

Second seeded clubs include Greenock Morton, Queen of the South, St Mirren and Dumbarton.

Last season’s Betfred Cup opponents Annan Athletic and Stranraer are among the unseeded sides which will be drawn live on BT Sport 2 on Friday.

Top seeds: 

Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Hamilton Accies

Second seeds: 

Greenock Morton, Queen of the South, St Mirren, Dumbarton

Unseeded: 

Ayr United, Livingston, Airdrieonians, Queen’s Park, Stranraer, Albion Rovers, Stenhousemuir, Annan Athletic, Edinburgh City, Berwick Rangers, Clyde, East Kilbride

The draw will be conducted live on BT Sport 2 at 6.30pm this Friday (2 June), as well as being streamed live and free-to-view on BT Sport’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Today is the last opportunity to take advantage of the superb ‘Early Bird’ offers available for 2017/18 season tickets. 

And ‘Well fans are reminded to snap up their 2017/18 season ticket to not only secure their seat but to also be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.

As an added incentive the club have put up some money can’t buy prizes to ensure those that buy early guarantee maximum value when buying their season ticket before May 31st.

Any Junior (15 or Under) that secures their 2017/18 season ticket will be benefiting from one of the following prizes.

• Playing against a Motherwell XI at our summer open day at Fir Park
• 20 juniors will be chosen to be mascots next season*
• 10 juniors will be chosen at random and will have their season ticket personally delivered by a player or the manager**

Anyone else that secures their 2017/18 season ticket could be benefiting from one of these great prizes.

• 5 season ticket holders per home game will be chosen at random and invited with 3 friends to watch a game in the South Stand “Fan Box” during the 2017/18 season.
• 10 season ticket holders chosen at random will get their ticket delivered by a player / manager**
• A meal out with Tam Cowan and a player as part of Tam’s food review in association with the Scottish Sun.

To buy your 2017/18 season ticket and to be in with a chance of securing one the above prizes visit www.MyMFC.co.uk or call us on 01698 333 333.