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Motherwell have taken Nottingham Forest’s United States Under 23 international Gboly Ariyibi on loan until the end of the current season.

The 23-year-old forward is the second addition of the January window, following the recent arrival of Ross McCormack from Aston Villa.

“I am delighted to join and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club and the league and as soon as I spoke with the manager, I knew this is where I wanted to come.”

Born in Arlington, Virginia to Nigerian parents, Ariyibi spent the majority of his life in England, but for a short time living in Lagos.

He came through the youth ranks at Southampton before moving to Leeds United, where he teamed with McCormack.

He made his Championship debut almost exactly five years ago against his current club, Nottingham Forest, before a short-term loan to Tranmere Rovers.

Following his release by Leeds in 2014, Ariyibi joined Chesterfield and turned out 96 times for the Spireites across two-and-a-half seasons, before being bought by Forest for an undisclosed fee in the January 2017 window.

Although he has yet to make his senior debut at the City Ground, he has clocked up another 40 matches in League One with loans at MK Dons and Northampton.

“We’ve been tracking the player for quite some time and I am really pleased to get this agreed and over the line,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“He’s a fast-footed, speedy forward player who can plays on either flank or through the middle. He fits the type of profile we were looking for and will hopefully provide a different dimension in the forward areas.

“Going into the window, we were keen to boost our attacking options and with Ross and Gboly, we’ve made a good start.”

Motherwell return to action after the winter break on Saturday, 19 January when Ross County visit in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Stephen Robinson’s men are back at Fir Park to take another tilt at the competition, having reached the final last season.

Season ticket holders can guarantee their seat if they buy in advance. Your seat is being held for you until 9am on the day of the game. Tickets will automatically be loaded onto your season card when purchased.

You can buy your ticket in advance online right now.

A cash gate will also be in operation. Kick off is at 3pm.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Match hospitality

Fans can also take in the game with one of our hospitality offers.

Cooper Boxes

Our Cooper Boxes allow you to watch from behind the goal in one of our executive boxes in our Davie Cooper stand.

With unrestricted views, each box is unique in layout and size and is the perfect place to see the action from. You’ll also have access to our Cooper Bar at half time.

To buy for £48 per person, or £40 if you’re upgrading your season ticket, give us a call on 01698 333333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.

South Stand Bois package

Our Bois package is also available in the South Stand for the game.

Watch the game in comfort and in the warm behind the goal for just £70 per person, which includes a main meal, pie/cake at half time with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks. You can also upgrade for another £20 per person to add spirits to package.

To book, give us a call on 01698 333333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Centenary Suite

Our Centenary Suite will also be open for main meals and a pay bar before the game on a walk-in basis from 12pm.

Ross McCormack says he’s ready to “step it up” after making his return to Motherwell on loan for the rest of the 2018/19 season.

The striker, a prolific scorer throughout a career which has seen him rack up around £25m in transfer moves since leaving in 2008, has made the move back north from Aston Villa.

Motherwell Football Club are delighted to confirm striker Ross McCormack has returned to the club on a five-month loan from Aston Villa, subject to international clearance.

McCormack, 32, spent two years at Fir Park between 2006 and 2008, helping the club to a historic third-place SPL finish in his second season, striking up a lethal partnership with both Chris Porter and David Clarkson in the Steelmen attack.

It was around that time he won the first of his 13 Scotland caps, making his debut alongside Clarkson against Czech Republic.

He now returns to Fir Park to bolster manager Stephen Robinson’s striking options for the second half of the 2018/19 campaign.

“I am delighted to be back,” McCormack said.

“Although I was a youth player at Rangers, got a good education there and played some first team games, I feel like this was the club that helped launch my career and I will be forever grateful for that.

“I’ve had a frustrating few years and I am desperate to just get back on the pitch again and do what I do.

“I want to put something back in to Motherwell for what they did for me all those years ago. My aim is to come in and score goals, help the team and help develop some of the younger talent in the squad.”

His past form for ‘Well earned him a move to Cardiff City in June 2008. He spent three years in south Wales, notching an impressive 30 goals in 60 starts for the Championship side, prompting Leeds United to sign the player in the summer of 2010 for an undisclosed fee.

Four successful years at Elland Road, netting 58 goals in 130 starts, including winning the English Championship golden boot in 2013-14, persuaded the then-Fulham boss Felix Magath to spend a reported £11m to take him to Craven Cottege.

His red-hot scoring form continued in London when, over his two seasons with the Cottagers, he scored 42 goals in 97 starts.

Roberto Di Matteo then paid the second highest fee in Aston Villa history, at a reported £12m, to take him to Villa Park in August of 2016. However, he fell out of favour and was loaned out to fellow Championship side Nottingham Forest in his first campaign.

He was out on loan again last season, spending another goal-laden spell at Melbourne City where he hit 14 goals in 14 starts for the A-League club.

He was back down under again this term, at Central Coast Mariners, but has cut his time short to return home to Fir Park and line up in claret and amber once again.

“We are delighted to get a player of Ross’ quality at the club,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the move.

“This is a player who has earned over £25 million in transfer fees, is the all-time top scorer in the EFL Championship with a record better than one goal in three games and is experienced at international level.

“However, despite all that, what has impressed me most is his desire to be here, to contribute and put something back in and help us for the rest of this season.

“He has a slight knee injury, that we’ve looked at extensively, which means he will be out for the next few weeks. But we hope to have him involved with the first team come the games at the end of January, or beginning of February.”

Ross will be allotted squad number 44, with youngster Dean Cornelius promoted to number 38 following Alfredo Agyeman’s departure at the end of his contract.

Ross MacLean has left Motherwell to join Championship side Falkirk on a permanent basis.

The forward, who made 20 appearances in claret and amber, was on a season-long loan at Greenock Morton, but has been recalled to join the Bairns.

MacLean, 21, is a product of Motherwell’s youth academy and the club will protect its interests with a sell-on clause.

“Ross leaves the club with our thanks for his contribution, and we wish him well for the future,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“The deal allows him the chance to establish himself and push for regular first team football to advance his career. It also protects the club in the longer term, should he develop further.”

Ryan Bowman has left the club to join English League Two side Exeter City.

The striker has been at ‘Well for two-and-a-half years, following his deadline day move from Gateshead in the summer of 2016.

Since then, the 27-year-old has helped guide the club to two domestic cup finals, netting 14 goals in 86 outings.

However, with his deal set to expire at the end of the current season, the club opted to move him on with a view of freshening up the attack.

“Ryan is a player who always gives you 100% every game,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“He is industrious and unselfish and has been throughout his time at Motherwell.

“However, with the current options we have in attack, it’s my view that we need to change it up for the second half of the season and that’s what we intend to do.”

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to sincerely thank Ryan for his contribution during his time at Fir Park and wish him and his family every success in the future.

Barry Maguire will spend the second half of the 2018/19 campaign on loan with Queen of the South.

The young defender, who has made five first team appearances, two this season, heads to the Championship team with a view to playing regular football to aid his development.

”It is important Barry goes out and gets games between now and the end of the season,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

”This is a chance for him to play and show his talent at a good level, with a view to coming back in the summer ready to push on.

“We think Barry has all the tools to not only cement a first-team starting place at Motherwell, but go on to have a really good career in the game. Regular, competitive matches between now and May will be invaluable for him.”

Maguire will immediately be available for the Doonhamers’ league match with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

In other departures, reserve defenders Jason Krones and Jordan Armstrong have both left the club following the expiry of their contracts.

Motherwell Football Club would like to thank both for their contribution whilst at Fir Park and wish them every success in the future careers.

It’s not just any old game. It’s the derby, and it matters.

This is the Story of the Match from the win over Hamilton Academical.

Tom Aldred bagged a double as the ‘Well came from behind to end 2018 with a big win at Hamilton Academical.

Elliott Frear, Andy Rose and goalscorer Tom Aldred spoke after the derby win at Hamilton Academical.