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Reece McAlear has left Motherwell to join Norwich City on a permanent basis, subject to international clearance.

The 17-year-old will join the East Anglian side after 13 months as a professional at Fir Park.

Motherwell tried to secure the player on a longer contract during the summer, but it was clear that any extended stay beyond May 2020 was extremely unlikely.

Despite that, several approaches from Norwich were rejected, before terms were finally agreed on a deal which gives the club a short-term cash injection, coupled with the ability to claim future money should the player develop further.

“It is very much our hope that the player development pathway we provide at Motherwell results in our academy graduates progressing to professional level, then eventually into the first team,” chief executive Alan Burrows explained.

“We had high hopes for Reece. He was getting closer and closer and indeed, played several first-team friendly matches during pre-season. We had positive conversations with the player, his family and his representatives about extending his stay.

“However, it was clear this was an opportunity Reece wanted to explore and probably would’ve explored, when his contract expired at the end of the season, had we not managed to agree a deal with Norwich now.

“This will see the club secure cash in advance, as well as maintaining some economic rights should his career continue to develop.

“It also demonstrates clearly the excellent work of our scouting and coaching staff, and further emphasises Motherwell as the club for young footballers to progress.”

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to thank Reece for his time at Fir Park and wish him every success in his future career.

Danny Johnson has left Motherwell to join Dundee.

The forward, who joined on at Fir Park in the summer of 2018 from Gateshead, moves to the Ladbrokes Championship side on a permanent basis.

“Danny has an opportunity to go and play regular football, and we didn’t want to stand in his way,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“He has conducted himself very professionally throughout and I am certain he will go on to do well for Dundee.

“He was a little unfortunate not to get more game time for various reasons. But he scored some important goals for us and we wish him well in his move. He’s always welcome here.”

Everyone at Motherwell thanks Danny for his efforts at the club, and wish him well in the future.

Christy Manzinga is Motherwell’s tenth new recruit of the summer window.

The 24-year-old frontman has been with the club for several weeks and has already demonstrated his ability, having scored a spectacular bicycle kick against Gretna in pre-season.

He also featured in a closed-door bounce game against Partick Thistle. That, combined with his performances in training, has convinced ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson to add him to the squad on a one-year deal, with the option for a second year.

“We are excited by what we’ve seen from Christy and are pleased to add him to the squad,” the Fir Park gaffer said.

“Even after the first day in training, we thought there was something there.

“We would’ve added him sooner, but we spotted a small issue during his medical that is being sorted by our head physiotherapist, David Henderson.

“He is four to six weeks away from getting to fitness. When he does, we feel he will be a big addition to our forward line.

“He has played a lot as a number nine, but he can also play on either flank. He’ll bolster our options and add even more pace and power to our forward line.”

Christy came through the youth ranks at PSG, signing as a 13-year-old and playing in the same youth team as Cedric Kipré, as well as alongside Adrian Rabiot, Presnel Kimpembe, Ferland Mendy and Kingsley Coman.

Spells at French sides Lorient and Angers followed in his late teens, before moving to Belgium with Royal Châtelet. He has also represented DR Congo at Under 21 level.

He will wear squad number 12 during the 2019/20 campaign.

Annan Athletic are the visitors on Saturday, as Motherwell wrap up their Betfred Cup group stage campaign.

With three wins from three, the Steelmen still need a fourth victory to ensure progression in the competition, and the chance to be seeds in the last 16.

Ticket prices for all matches are set at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. Supporters can pay at the gate.

Tickets are available online now and can be printed at home, or brought to the gate on your smartphone.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell still need a point to guarantee progression as group winners, while a win should guarantee we’re seeded for Sunday evening’s draw for the last 16.

Annan Athletic cannot progress, having picked up one point from their three games so far in a draw with Queen of the South.

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Christian Ilić and Peter Hartley were on target for Motherwell in a 2-0 win at Dumbarton on Tuesday.

The goals ensured Stephen Robinson’s men made it three wins from three in their Betfred Cup group, heading into the final match with Annan Athletic on Saturday.

“We dominated from start to finish. We solved the problems and eventually wore them down.”

Stephen Robinson speaks after the win at Dumbarton.

Motherwell made it three wins from three in their Betfred Cup group with a comfortable 2-0 win at Dumbarton.

Christian Ilić and Peter Hartley scored in either half to ensure victory, having controlled large parts of the game.

Ilić was one of four changes for Motherwell, with Maguire, Hartley and Grimshaw also coming in. Jake Carroll, Charles Dunne, Liam Donnelly and Sherwin Seedorf dropped out.

On a long pitch at Dumbarton, the visitors had to adapt their normal fast-paced wing play, but did so well.

After knocking at the door for long spells, hitting both the post and the crossbar, the deadlock was broken before the interval in mildly controversial circumstances.

With the ball on the left of the box in Motherwell possession, the linesman’s flag on the near side went up quickly, then immediately back down again, as Hylton and Tait stepped over the ball.

With play then eventually being worked back to Ilić just behind the penalty spot, the Croatian swept home the ball into the bottom left corner to open the scoring.

The home team protested that the linesman had flagged, but the referee waved them away, saying no decision had been made and that play rightly continued.

Motherwell continued to surge forward in the second half, with Hylton in particular causing major trouble down the left side.

The second would come from a set play with 15 minutes to go. Polworth’s corner kick delivery from the right was met by the man who rose highest, with Hartley nodding down into the bottom right corner of the net.

Motherwell’s progression to the knockout stage still isn’t secure, however, with a win required against Annan Athletic to make sure.

Motherwell: Gillespie, Grimshaw, Gallagher, Hartley, Tait, Maguire, Campbell, Polworth (Semple), Hylton, Ilić (Seedorf), Scott (Long).

Subs not used: Carson, Sloth, Livingstone, Donnelly.

Allan Campbell has signed an improved contract with Motherwell Football Club.

The academy graduate has established himself as a key figure in the first team in recent seasons, making 85 appearances for the club.

The 21-year-old’s contract runs until the summer of 2021.

“We have now put Allan in line with other first team players,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“We felt it was a deserved reward for his hard work and his consistent performances.

“He is continuing to improve with every game, and devotes his life to constantly trying to get better.

“He is a brilliant role model to every young player in our academy. He epitomises everything we strive for at this club with his work ethic and talent.

“When he signed his previous deal, he was at a different stage of his career. His development and growth has accelerated to such an extent that it was vital we matched that with terms to reflect that.”

Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows has been reappointed to the board of the Scottish Professional Football League.

Alan is the only club representative who will remain on the board. Peter Lawwell (Celtic), John Nelms (Dundee), Warren Hawke (Morton), Martin Ritchie (Falkirk) and Iain Dougan (Stranraer) have been replaced by Stewart Robertson (Rangers), Les Gray (Hamilton), Ross McArthur (Dunfermline), Graham Peterkin (Ayr) and Ken Ferguson (Brechin).

“I’m honoured to be once again voted on by our fellow Premiership clubs to the SPFL board,” Burrows said.

“Last year was a real learning curve for me and I hope my experience over the last 12 months can help me better serve the clubs and the game in Scotland.

“I am passionate about Scottish football and even more so about improving it and look forward to working with my colleagues at other clubs, together with the SPFL executive, in doing that.”

Keith Lasley spoke on Motherwell’s strong start to the season, making changes for the trip to Dumbarton and signing a new deal when he addressed the press on Monday.

Here’s the best quotes from his press conference.

On the start to the season

“It’s been encouraging. Good start. A lot of new faces and a big turnaround in the squad.

“But the guys who have come in have worked hard and blended in with the group we had there already.

“It’s been an encouraging start. We know it’s early days.

“But certainly in terms of players taking on information and getting themselves ready physically for what we know is going to be a tough season ahead. I think it’s been encouraging.

“So, we keep going. Another tough game on  Tuesday night at Dumbarton. We keep the process going  of getting through this League Cup first and foremost. That’s the main target. Then obviously with a few to starting the league campaign.”

On making changes for the trip to Dumbarton

“We’ve got a competitive squad. A really competitive squad.

“The guys that have not started are really chapping at the door. We put a big emphasis on that here.

“It’s not about the 11. It’s about the guys behind there, driving the guys on lucky enough to get those shirts.

“There will be some changes in the next couple of games. But it won’t be for change’s sake. It will be guys that are deserving of a chance and really pushing to nail down a first team jersey.

“A good indication of that were the  substitutes the other night. The subs that came on –  Grimmy, Christian and Barry Maguire – came on and you wouldn’t have known there was any change there. If anything, they came on and enhanced the game.

“There’s guys that are ready,It’s testament to how they train, how the group trains as a whole. I think when we are at our best, that is the case at this club.Everybody is pulling together and ready to take their opportunity when they get it.

“So yeah, there will be changes. But it will be done for the right reasons. It’s guys that are really hungry to come in and make an impact.

On signing a new deal

“It’s not a word that you associate with football a lot is it? Stability?

“Delighted to be given the opportunity to be able to continue working alongside the manager. It’s a couple of years now.

“In that time,  there’s been a lot of progress made. As always, there’s big squad turnarounds. Every year presents its own challenges. Certainly since I’ve came into the job.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It has been challenging, but certainly the experience of working alongside the manager, who has done a fantastic job, has been great for me.

“I just want to continue learning and I am delighted I have been given the opportunity to do that.”