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Juhani Ojala has joined Motherwell.

The experienced Finnish international centre-back has signed a two-year deal, subject to international clearance.

Capped 22 times for his country, Ojala arrives from Danish top flight side Vejle.

“We’re delighted to finally get Juhani on board after a while waiting for his work permit,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“After first speaking with him, I thought he was exactly the type of player and character we need at our club.

“He’s captained his country and demonstrated what a good player and leader he is at a very good level.

“He was really excited about the opportunity to join us and we look forward to seeing him integrate into the squad. I’m certain he will be an excellent signing for us.”

The central defender has also plied his trade in his homeland, as well as venturing to Switzerland at Young Boys, Russia with Terek Grozny and Sweden at Hacken.

Subject to clearance, Ojala will be in contention for Sunday’s cinch Premiership opener with Hibernian and will wear the number 14 shirt.

The cinch Premiership season starts on Sunday, with Hibernian the visitors to Fir Park.

Up to 4,500 Motherwell fans will be in Fir Park for the match, as our capacity continues to increase in time for the beginning of the league campaign.

Kick-off is at 4.30pm.

Coming to Fir Park

Season ticket holders should now have received their match ticket by email.

If yours has not arrived by Thursday evening, please complete this form and we’ll fix it.

Tickets are also available on general sale on a first-come, first-served basis and a maximum of four tickets per purchase.

You can get yours by calling 01698 333333 or by visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

The ticket office will be open until 5pm on Thursday, from 9am to 4pm on Friday and from 12pm until kick-off on Sunday.

Ticket issues

Some fans have had issues adding their ticket to the wallet on their phones.

If this happens to you, please open the Print at Home document attached to your ticket email and have it open on your phone. We will be able to scan the barcode from that.

If you have a ticket and cannot make the match, please let us know ASAP by filling out this form. This will allow us to potentially pass your ticket to a fan who missed out in the ballot.

Join us

The Cooper Bar is open for pre-match food and drink from 2pm until one hour after full-time.

Watch live

If you can’t make the match, there’s three options.

If you’re in the UK/Ireland, the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

If you’re a season ticket holder who cannot make the game, you can watch for free at https://live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Abroad, you can sign up to our live streaming service and get every game – home and away – from as little as £12.50 a month.

Tale of the tape

The last encounter between the two sides came in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals last season.

Hibernian held a 2-0 lead with eight minutes to go, only for Ricki Lamie and Tony Watt to level the tie and take it to extra-time.

Motherwell had their chances to seal it but it ultimately went all the way to penalties, with the Edinburgh side prevailing.

The Steelmen won the last league encounter between the two sides in February, with goals from Jordan Roberts and Devante Cole sealing a 2-0 away win.

Form guide

Motherwell made it three competitive wins from four with victory over Annan Athletic at the weekend.

That sent the Steelmen through to the knockout stage of the Premier Sports Cup, where they’ll face Dundee.

Hibs will have had two competitive games under their belt prior to Sunday, with their UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying campaign underway.

A 3-0 home win over Andorran side FC Santa Coloma last week has set up a cushion for their away trip on Thursday.

In pre-season friendlies, Jack Ross’ men defeated Civil Service Strollers before a loss to Accrington Stanley, a draw with Stoke City and then a win over Arsenal at Easter Road, followed by victory over Raith Rovers.

Tickets for our cinch Premiership opener with Hibernian are now on general sale.

Available on a first-come, first-served basis and a maximum of four tickets per purchase, you can get yours by calling 01698 333333 or by visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

Our ticket office is open:

• 9am until 5pm on Thursday.
• 9am until 4pm on Friday.
• From 12pm until kick-off at 4.30pm on Sunday.

Season ticket holders will receive their ticket for the match by email. If yours has not arrived by Thursday evening, please complete this form and we’ll fix it.

Motherwell made a real statement of intent as they beat Kilmarnock 6-0 in a friendly on Wednesday night.

A double from Kodie Hay, and strikes from Leanne Crichton, Amy Anderson, Claire Adams and Chelsie Watson gave Motherwell their first pre-season victory.

It was a tight affair for the first 10 minutes in the match with Kilmarnock striking the post.

However the breakthrough would come from the claret and amber on 17 minutes.

Lori Gardner showed some excellent work on the left wing before setting up Hay to slot home for her first goal of the evening.

Hay would get her brace just six minutes later. Picking up the ball up from 25 yards out, she blasted a strike past the Kilmarnock keeper for hers and Motherwell’s second goal of the evening.

Assistant manager Crichton would open her account for Motherwell from the penalty spot on 39 minutes.

Captain Gill Inglis ran the length of the park beating a number of defenders before being brought down in the box. Crichton stepped up and slotted home in the bottom right corner.

Motherwell made it four right from the restart, with Gardner again turning provider. She laid off for Anderson, who jinked by one player to smash home for her first goal in the claret and amber.

The dominance continued in the second half.

On 50 minutes, Adams picked up the ball, flicked it up into the air for Crichton to flick back to her, as she hit it sweetly on the volley for number five.

Then, on the hour mark, Watson stood over a free-kick after Adams was caught heavy in the tackle. She went up and over the wall to make it 6-0 and round off a comfortable evening.

Having racked up over 550 appearances as a player for Motherwell, Steven Hammell is now charged with overseeing the next influx of young talent making their way in the professional game at the club.

The academy director speaks about this year’s new intake, what they will learn and the pathway for youngsters to first team football.

Motherwell have signed centre-back Claire Crosbie.

The veteran defender has turned out for Celtic and had multiple spells with Spartans in her career which spans more than 12 years.

“Claire is a vastly experienced centre half who we worked hard behind the scenes to bring to Motherwell,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“She has played at the top level and can use that experience to help push us on this season.

“She will bring so much to this team and is another big signing for the club.”

Crosbie made her debut back in 2009 and will be looking to use all her knowledge in the game to push on her teammates this season.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to a new challenge under Paul and Leanne,” the player added.

“It’s a real honour to be part of something special and I can’t wait to use my experience to help us achieve a successful season this year.”

Motherwell FC and Motherwell Community Trust have become the latest Lanarkshire organisations to join the new Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland (BFS) scheme.

With the support of NHS Lanarkshire, they will help to promote, support and protect the rights of mothers who want to breastfeed in public places.

The BFS scheme is being rolled out nationally by the Scottish Government. It will replace, and build on the success of, NHS Lanarkshire’s former breastfeeding welcome initiative.

Lanarkshire currently reports some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Scotland. Around half (50.3%) of mothers breastfeed at birth, dropping to less than one in three (30.4%) after 6-8 weeks.

A contributing factor can be that women feel inhibited to breastfeed outside the home, especially new mothers whose babies were born during lockdown, who might not be confident feeding while out and about.

In Scotland, babies are protected by law to be fed anywhere, and it is an offence to prevent a baby being fed in a public place.

Wherever families see the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland logo and signage, they know that staff are aware of their obligation under the law, and they can be assured of an extra warm welcome. Membership of the scheme demonstrates a business understands and accommodates the needs of breastfeeding families.

AnneMarie Bruce, Infant Feeding Development Midwife at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The NHS encourages responsive parenting and feeding, so our primary focus is to ensure that mothers and babies have the support they need, regardless of how they feed.

“UNICEF Babyfriendly found that 80% of women stopped breastfeeding before they wanted to. In Lanarkshire, our breastfeeding rates are currently below the national average and we want to normalise breastfeeding and create a supportive culture. We hope that by promoting safe environments for breastfeeding outside the home through the BFS Scheme, more women will feel comfortable and will continue to breastfeed for as long as they want.”

Dawn Middleton, general manager of the Motherwell FC Community Trust, added: “The Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme is an important initiative and we hope that more organisations sign up to support women in feeling comfortable when breastfeeding in the community.

“As a club with a largely male audience, we hope that our involvement in this initiative will encourage men to be supportive of their breastfeeding partners, family members, and friends, and to help foster a supportive environment in general when in public spaces.”

Businesses interested in joining the BFS Scheme can receive more information by contacting BreastfeedingFriendlyScotlandLanarkshire@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.

Motherwell have secured the signature of Kodie Hay for another season.

The midfielder played a huge part in our season last time out and will add to the team’s attacking threat.

“I am delighted Kodie has committed herself to the club for another season,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Kodie provides a real attacking threat with real energy and quality on the ball that can cause teams problems.

“I’m looking forward to working with her this season.”

Motherwell have signed experienced centre back Jo Addie.

Most recently playing for Glasgow Girls, Addie will put on the claret and amber and fight for her position in Paul Brownlie’s starting side.

“Jo is yet another great addition to the squad,” head coach Paul Brownlie said. “She will bring real experience and quality to the squad.

“Her attitude in training thus far has been different class and it’s clear she’s integrating well within the squad.

“She’s a real winner and that’s why she’s here.”

Addie has turned out for Glasgow Girls and Partick Thistle most recently and will be looking to make her mark in the top flight once again.

“It’s an honour to be given the opportunity to pull on the Motherwell jersey,” she added.

“I’m looking forward to working under Paul and Leanne.

“I’m excited for the challenge that lies ahead and I can’t wait to get started.”

When it comes to Suicide Prevention, we are again wearing their heart on our sleeves in support of a crucial life-saving campaign.

Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire branding will again be on the first team players’ sleeves throughout the 2021/22 season.

We’re are working in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council to help tackle suicide in local communities and will also be displaying helpline information around Fir Park.

Almost one person every week dies by suicide in North Lanarkshire and Motherwell FC is pledging its support to help raise awareness of this issue.

“We are delighted Motherwell FC are continuing to support our campaign to prevent the tragedy of suicide in our communities,” Paul Kelly, depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council said.

“The club have been outstanding ambassadors for suicide prevention and it will be great to see the logo appearing on the players’ shirts again this coming season.

“This is a great example of partnership working with the goal of helping those most in need in our communities.

“The Covid-19 health pandemic has been really difficult for so many people and it is vital that those who are suffering know that there is another way. There is help available.

“‘Let’s Talk’ is the message we want to get across as we try to encourage people to talk more openly about suicide so we can all work together to help prevent it. The emotional impact on families, friends and communities bereaved by suicide is devastating and can have an awful, long-lasting effect on those left behind.

“Starting the conversation is so important and can make such a difference. As a council, we are grateful to everyone associated with Motherwell FC for supporting this campaign. This partnership through football will have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing in our communities.”

Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing at Motherwell FC added: “It is important to us as a club, and a central part of this community, to continue our support for this initiative more than ever.

“Suicide affects so many families in this area and has had a direct impact on young supporters’ families in recent months. We want everyone to know that support is out there, and the first step towards it is to talk to someone.”

For more information go to northlanarkshire.gov.uk/safer or call 0800 073 0918.