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Croatian winger Christian Ilić is Stephen Robinson’s ninth recruit of the summer.

The versatile 22-year-old is comfortable on either flank and appeared as a substitute for ‘Well in a pre-season game at Darlington last weekend.

He has signed a one-year contract with the club and has been given the number 16 shirt.

“Christian brings us another pacy option to play anywhere across the forward three,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“He’s already got top flight experience in a strong league and has impressed us with his ability on the ball, the intelligent runs he makes and his desire to be here and develop.”

Ilić was born and brought up in Friesach in Austria, near the Slovakian border, to Croatian parents.

He played youth football for a number of local sides before signing for Sportclub Weiz in 2012.

He earned a move to TSV Hartberg two years later, making his debut in the second tier at the age of 18 and helped them to the Austrian Bundesliga.

Last season he made 17 appearances in the top tier, scoring twice.

Supporters can listen to live commentary from our opening Betfred Cup game at Queen of the South.

Our live service is up and running again for the 2019/20 campaign, with all live game coverage available on subscription.

All subscribers will also get access to extended match highlights and the chance to watch full matches back.

Priced at £5.99 a month for fans in the UK/Ireland and £12 a month for international supporters, the following games are coming up at tv.motherwellfc.co.uk:

To subscribe, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your subscription option.

The Motherwell boss discusses his summer transfer business, a short pre-season and trying to navigate a tricky Betfred Cup group.

The Steelmen face Queen of the South on Saturday in the opening match in the four-game group stage.

On the short pre-season break

“We’re back very quickly. You don’t get much of a break now in modern football.

“It’s only been four weeks our boys altogether had off. So we are back at it.

“We’ve enjoyed being back. A lot of new faces. A lot of energy about the place and looking forward to the season.”

On transfer business

“The players might have had four weeks off but myself and Martin Foyle certainly didn’t.

“And that’s the job. You have to get in before people. I believe we’ve done well. we’ve signed a lot of exciting players.

“We’re trying to continue on what we did  on the last six months of the season. We’ve signed wide players with pace and energy. I am looking forward to the season.

“I think I am done. I’m knackered. I can’t sign anymore. No, we are very close to being done.

“We still have a little bit left if something came up that suited us, perhaps in the forward area.

“It’s massive. That’s the hard bit. You do lose players. We lost all our wide players So that was the biggest recruitment for us – wide areas. We’ve done that. I believe we’ve done that well.

“Hopefully we will hit the ground running. We did that two years ago when we brought in a lot of bodies.

“They’ve integrated well, all the new boys. What we have is a good base of boys that have been here quite a while. worked under myself and Keith for a long time.

“They keep that atmosphere going, they keep that drive going. They are integrated very, very quickly.

“One of the new boys said he feels like he’s been here a year. That’s a good positive from my mindset.”

On facing Queen of the South

“Cup competitions come so early in pre-season. We are still in the middle of pre-season.

“We’ve been very successful in the last few years. We’ve got to the final and quarter final in this competition.

“It has set us up for relative success. But it is a tough time of year. People are still finding their form and fitness. New players are still coming in and getting integrated.

“But everyone is in the same boat. Queen of the South will be the same as us.

“The astroturf pitch down there, we just have to deal with. We have to go and be positive. Make sure we take the game to them. Press high up the pitch and take the game to them to try get a result.”

How about a season ticket watching Motherwell and enjoying our great hospitality lounges as part of the deal?

Our seasonal hospitality packages are available for the 2019/20 Ladbrokes Premiership campaign, with a host of different packages on offer.

The Centenary Suite

Our premium lounge, the Centenary Suite provides you with a three-course meal before every match at Fir Park, your own padded seat in our Phil O’Donnell Stand to watch the game, and half-time refreshments with tea and coffee.

What’s more, you can have your drinks paid for in advance with our inclusive bar package for £2,190 per person for the season, or choose to pay for your drinks on the day at the price of £1,420 per person for the season.

For more information, head to our hospitality page, call us on 01698 333333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.

The Millennium Suite

Our other hospitality offering in our Phil O’Donnell Stand is our Millennium Suite, offering you snacks on arrival and prior to kick-off, as well as a free bar one hour before and after the game.

With half-time refreshments also on offer, as well as your own designated comfortable seat in the Director’s Box, it’s another great way to see the ‘Well.

Priced at £1,350 per person for the season, or £1,060 for concessions, it’s another popular option.

For more information, head to our hospitality page, call us on 01698 333333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.

South Stand boxes

Want to watch the games from the comfort of your own glass-fronted box for the campaign? Our South Stand Boxes provide our top experience for doing just that, giving you the opportunity to bring along clients and employees to games at your choice, or however you see fit.

With fully inclusive drinks from two hours before the game, a three-course meal from the comfort of your box, armchair seating and half-time refreshments, it’s a luxury way to see our Ladbrokes Premiership games for just £2,300 per person for the season.

For more information, head to our hospitality page, call us on 01698 333333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Bois Club

Our glass-fronted boxes in our South Stand also offer the comfort of watching the game from a great indoor vantage point with our Bois Club package.

Priced at £1,615 per person for the season, you’ll arrive 90 minutes before kick off to be greeted with a hot, one-course buffet served with free drinks.

You’ll then see the game from your own padded seat in the box, followed by half-time pies and then free drinks for one hour after the game.

For more information, head to our hospitality page, call us on 01698 333333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell Football Club is delighted to announce the extension of its partnership with English-based health cash plan provider Paycare.

Paycare are a leading not-for-profit organisation which provides cashback on everyday healthcare costs, as well as wider mental, financial and physical support.

Having been the club’s shorts sponsor last campaign, they have now signed up to become a back of shirt partner for 2019/20 and 2020/21, as well as continuing as our health and wellbeing partner.

“We are really delighted to be able to not only extend our sponsorship of the ‘Well but enhance it to become a back of shirt partner,” Kevin Rogers, chief executive of Paycare, said.

“We always enter into partnerships with a long-term view and our first year with this amazing club has been an absolute pleasure.

“We have met some fantastic people, both fans and staff, within the club. I am really pleased that we have managed to encourage an ever-growing number of Steelmen fans south of the border.

“As the Scottish Premiership’s only fully fan-owned club, paired with its community ethos, works perfectly with our drive to make a positive difference to the communities that we serve. Our ongoing partnership was an easy decision to make.”

Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing at Motherwell FC, added: “We’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with Paycare to see them become a back of shirt partner.

“Paycare share our ambitions and values, and we’ve already enjoyed a lot of success since our partnership began in 2018.

“We look forward to building on our special relationship and thank them very much for their continued support.”

Paycare dates back to 1874 in Wolverhampton and was set up by the foremen of some of the city’s largest factories in a bid to protect their employees from crippling medical bills, and growing to become a leading provider in the UK.

It works with families, businesses and individuals to provide cashback on services from physiotherapy, reflexology and chiropody, to optical, dental, and vaccinations.

Also available is wider inclusive support such as a confidential counselling and support service, GP 24/7 app, Paycare Perks – an exclusive online discount platform – and Paycare Partners, which is a dedicated signposting service.

As a not-for-profit, Paycare has shared over £2.2m to-date with charities, causes and initiatives UK-wide by donating every spare penny not spent on enhancing its services to policyholders – seeing its stakeholders making a positive difference to their local communities.

Motherwell supporters are required to buy a ticket at Queen of the South before entering the ground on Saturday.

Tickets are available from the Arena at Palmerston Park from 12.30pm, with cash and card payments available. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £6 for concessions.

Alternatively, tickets can be bought from the ticket office in the BDS Digital Stand, where we will be situated. This is open from 1.30pm and is cash only.

BDS Digital (East) Stand sections six to eight have been set aside for Motherwell fans. Turnstiles three and four will be in use, and open from 2.15 pm. Separate catering outlets and toilets will be available for use.

Other important information

Car parking is available in the Arena car park. Alternatively there are plenty of other on and off street parking bays available around the stadium.

All bags will be searched and spectators presenting themselves for entry may also be subject to search. Spectators who refuse to be searched by stewards will be denied entry to the ground.

Wheelchair access for away supporters is on the south side of BDS Digital stand. There is a lay-by on King Street for vehicles to drop their passengers for flat access to the ground. Disabled parking is available on the north side of the BDS Digital Stand or at the Arena car park. The cost of entry of one personal assistant is included in the price of the concession ticket.

David Devine has added another year onto his Motherwell contract.

The young central defender had a meteoric rise after signing professional terms in January, culminating in his Ladbrokes Premiership debut against Livingston just four months later.

The 18-year-old has also featured prominently in ‘Well’s pre-season matches this summer, appearing in every fixture so far.

His new deal will expire in June 2021.

“We are pleased David has agreed to extend his deal with the club,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“He has progressed at an impressive rate since joining up with the group in January and we think he could have a bright future in the game.

“Crucially, David together with his representatives and his family recognise the importance of a pathway to the first team and he has that here at Motherwell.”

Motherwell’s eighth signing of the summer is Dutch winger Sherwin Seedorf.

The 21-year-old arrives from English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on a two-year deal. He will wear the number 11 shirt this term.

Seedorf, who has a distant family tie to Netherlands icon Clarence, played youth football for Excelsior, NAC Breda and Feyenoord before moving to Molineux in 2017.

After a year with Wolves’ Under 23s team, he spent time on loan in 2018/19 at both Bradford City in the EFL League One and, latterly, with Wolves’ affiliate club FC Jumilla in the Spanish Segunda División.

“Sherwin has a lot of raw attributes that make for an exciting prospect,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said of the latest acquisition.

“He’s very quick, he’s direct and likes to take players on in the final third.

“He has also shown a willingness and a maturity to get out on loan, play games and develop himself.

“He is at a good place to learn more, develop and make an impact on the first team.”

Motherwell make the trip to Dumfries on Saturday to open the 2019/20 Betfred Cup group stage campaign.

Queen of the South play host in the first of four matches in July, with Greenock Morton, Dumbarton and Annan Athletic also lying in wait.

Ticket prices for all matches are set at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. Supporters can pay at the gate at Palmerston Park. Kick off is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

The Steelmen have played four pre-season games in preparation for the cup competition, taking on Crusaders, Linfield, Gretna and Darlington.

After a narrow loss in the first game, Stephen Robinson’s side have racked up 13 goals without conceding in the following three matches.

Queen of the South defeated East Fife 2-1 in a friendly last week, with the Championship side netting through Stephen Dobbie and Scott Mercer. They then won a closed doors friendly with Clyde at the weekend 3-1.

The two sides met at the same stage of the Betfred Cup last season, with Conor Sammon netting twice in a 2-0 win for the ‘Well at Fir Park.

Team news

Liam Polworth will be suspended for the match, owing to a red card for Inverness CT towards the end of the 2018/19 season.

David Turnbull and Craig Tanner are out due to injury.

Important travel information

If you’re planning on getting the train to the game, please note that a replacement bus service is running between Kilmarnock and Dumfries. This may add significant time to your journey.

Motherwell wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a 3-0 victory at Darlington.

First half goals from Christopher Long and Liam Donnelly, followed by Jamie Semple’s free kick late on, sealed the win at Blackwell Meadows.

With Queen of the South in the Betfred Cup looming next Saturday, a strong Steelmen side started in the north east of England.

Their hosts were fairly settled early on, keeping a pacy visiting front three at bay and looking to build through midfield.

Darlo’s resistance was broken with five minutes left in the half. Declan Gallagher saw his netbound header from a corner cleared off the line, and Long was on hand instinctively to fire home.

Just before the break, it was two. From Campbell’s cutback, Donnelly fired into the net from 25 yards, taking a nick on the way through to the top corner.

A raft of second half changes saw the game struggle to find much rhythm but Motherwell were largely untroubled, before Semple stepped up at the death to drill home a free kick from 20 yards.

Motherwell: Gillespie, Tait (Grimshaw), Gallagher (Devine), Hartley (Dunne), Carroll (Livingstone), Donnelly (Maguire), Campbell (Sloth), Polworth (Semple), Hylton (Trialist), Long (Johnson), Cole (Scott).