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Motherwell v Aberdeen is available to buy on pay-per-view to fans in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

To buy for £12, head to ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Please note that due to UEFA restrictions, this game is not purchasable if you are in England.

If you’re a season ticket holder who cannot make the match, you can still watch a live stream for free at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

International viewers can watch through our subscription service at live.motherwellfc.co.uk. Packages start at as little as £12.50 per month to watch all 38 cinch Premiership fixtures.

Sondre Solholm Johansen isn’t your typical Motherwell player.

Not just in the sense that he is only the second Norwegian to represent the club, but he is also mates with Lewis Hamilton. Well, for three minutes at least.

A quick swipe through Sondre’s Instagram profile to the month of February 2020 will show a picture of himself with the Formula One superstar at a Puma ambassador event, where Sondre describes Hamilton as his “new gym buddy”.

“Lewis was so humble,” Sol – as he is referred to by his team-mates – recalls.

“As part of my contract with Puma, I get to attend these cool yearly events and he was there.

“I was sent as an ambassador from Norway. I also went with Todd Cantwell from Norwich City.

“I tried to suck out as much information as I could in the two or three minutes I had with Lewis because he’s a plant-based athlete and so am I.

“I’ve been plant-based for two years now, but I wanted to get info on how you perform at his level when you don’t eat meat.”

Starting off on a vegan diet mainly for ethical and environmental reasons, our new Norwegian centre-back was keen to see what it would enhance in his performance.

But what Sol noticed instantly was a major improvement when it came to getting a good kip.

“My sleep quality is so good,” Sol says. “For the first six months my sleep was amazing.

“It’s hard to tell the difference because I felt good before, but I just wanted to try something new and I know it’s something I can do.

“The most difficult thing is getting enough protein, but I got some help from my doctor and found out some supplements.

“I try to do the things that are best for my body to perform at a high level and it works for me, but I don’t want to be the weirdo who bothers the [club] chef at lunch.

“My girlfriend and I do it together. It’s much easier when there’s two of you. I don’t have to be alone with it.”

Sol doesn’t miss anything specifically from a standard diet, but – like the rest of us – it is hard to fight that urge at the end of a night out.

“I never crave anything,” he says. “But the part I slip the most is when I’m out drinking and going for a snack on the way home. At least I won’t remember it the next day anyway…”

While Sol was tapping into Hamilton’s plant-based wisdom, the seven-time F1 world champion wanted some knowledge in exchange.

Hamilton was “curious” about Sol’s homeland, as they struck another common interest in a brief chat.

“He loves his snowboarding and skiing,” Sol, who is also keen on his winter sports, adds.

“He has always wanted to go to Norway to do it so I just tried to give him some tips, but I don’t know if he remembers…”

The big Norwegian is still in a part of the world that is cold enough for snow and ice, but resorts are few and far between – unless Braehead counts…?

Regardless, skiing and snowboarding probably isn’t something that is advised for footballers, and Sol doesn’t think the manager would be too happy if anything went wrong on the slopes.

“I was an active downhill skier when I was a kid, but it’s not the most convenient when you’re a football player,” he says.

“If I fall and tell the gaffer I was out skiing, I don’t think that’s going to be a valid reason.

“Every time I go to the mountains I try to go skiing or snowboarding, but I make sure I try to stay safe.”

Away from the snow and plants, Sol describes himself as a “hybrid” on the grass.

One half of him is an old-school defender who will throw his body on the line, but the other is comfortable with the modern-day demands of being able to handle the ball at his feet.

“I’ve heard it’s quite direct here, that suits my style,” Sol adds. “I love defending to my own goal. The 18-yard box is my area.

“But I was brought up to be a central midfielder and didn’t become a centre-back until I was 16, so I’m very comfortable using the ball.”

The 26-year-old demonstrated those skills across a four-year spell at Norwegian side Mjondalen, where he has spent the last two seasons playing top-flight football.

Sol’s performances caught the interest of a number of clubs, and he was in fact close to penning a deal with another side before Motherwell’s interest instantly grabbed his attention.

It has been the defender’s dream to play outside his country, and the opportunity to come to Fir Park simply too good to turn down.

Not only was plying his trade in Scotland’s top flight a huge selling point, but also the fact he will be representing a club with “good core values” who “take care of their own”.

“The furthest I’ve lived away from my childhood home is 20 minutes,” Sol says. “This is a big change for me, but it is a dream come true already.

“I feel like this is the right step for me. If I’m being honest, from the first phone call with my agent I was sold. He didn’t have to make a sales pitch, I had my bags packed when he called.

“We were about to sign with another club in Norway, but we put that on hold for Motherwell.

“The first thing I did was go on YouTube. I was sitting on it for three weeks straight. The fans seemed so crazy, but it also seems like such a well-run club that take care of the community and the society around it.

“That’s something I appreciate and feel I can be a part of. I saw the video with Bevis, when he went out to a family and gave them the free tickets. That touched me.”

Sol quickly wants to show the fans he is on the “same standings” as them.

Take another swipe down his Instagram profile to December 2019 and you will see a picture of the Norweigan centre-back celebrating with the Mjondalen support in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts and a can of lager.

Antics like that with the Well Bois in the John Hunter Stand will quickly have the big man endeared as a Fir Park favourite.

“I like to show I’m not more important than the fans,” Sol says. “I don’t think too highly of myself or take myself too seriously.

“I play with my heart on my sleeve, but I have a smile on my face. I like to try to communicate with the fans, the referee and put the striker off his game. I always try to have a good time.

“We do this because it’s fun. I hope they see that I enjoy playing in front of them and I’ll do everything I can for the team and the club.”

Motherwell have signed Courtney Whyte from Queen’s Park.

The 23-year-old centre half signs with the claret and amber, after turning out for the Spiders at the start of this season.

The defender has ample amount of international experience at youth level and will come in and fight for a place in the starting 11.

“I’ve worked with Courtney on many different levels, both at club and national level,” manager Paul Brownlie said.

“Courtney will add experience and quality to this team. She has played with Glasgow City and Celtic so she understands the demands.

“Courtney will be very flexible within the team and can play in several positions. I am delighted to get her on board.”

Whyte will wear the number 30 shirt this season for the women of steel.

Olivia Potter has been included in the Scotland Under 17s squad for their next UEFA Women’s Under 17 Championship qualifiers.

The Motherwell midfielder is in the selection for three games being held in the Netherlands.

The national team face the Dutch first on 29 September at 7pm, before taking on the Czech Republic on 2 October at 1pm.

The camp is rounded off with a game against Slovenia on 5 October at 7pm, as the team look to progress to the Elite Round stage.

Graham Alexander previews the return to league action at Fir Park.

Motherwell have added 18-year-old centre half Paige McAllister to the squad.

The young defender initially comes in on loan from Celtic, with her move becoming permanent when her contract expires at the end of the year.

As well as featuring with Celtic, Paige wason loan with SWPL1 side Hearts last season, gaining valuable experience in the top flight.

She has represented Scotland at various youth levels and has scored for the national team against Northern Ireland back in 2019.

“We wanted to add more quality to our back four,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Paige was someone we wanted to bring in when we first arrived at the club, so to get it done now is great.

“Paige will bring many good attributes to the team. She’s still young in her journey but she’ll add quality to the squad.”

McAllister will wear the number 66 shirt this season.

“I am looking forward to working with Paul, all the staff and the players,” she added.

“I can’t wait to get started as everyone has made me feel really welcome.”

Our Hall of Fame will welcome its new inductees in a special event in November.

Taking place at the Bothwell Bridge Hotel on Saturday 13 November, the event will induct the classes of 2020 and 2021.

The event is priced at £50+VAT for adults and £24+VAT for children aged under 12.

Buy your tickets online here now.

The class of 2020 has already been announced as John Hunter, Davie Cooper and Andy Paton, with two others still to be announced, before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the event.

The remaining two from 2020 will be revealed shortly, as well as the other five inductees for 2021.

They all will join the inaugural intake from 2019, who were George Stevenson, Willie Pettigrew, Ally Maxwell, Phil O’Donnell and James McFadden.

Aberdeen are the visitors to Fir Park in the cinch Premiership on Saturday.

The Dons come to ML1 as league action resumes after the international break.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

Collect your season card

If you’re still to collect your season card, there’s still time.

Our ticket office is open from 9-5 on Thursday, 9-4 on Friday and then from 11am until kick-off on Saturday.

Buy tickets

You can buy match tickets now online from our ticketing site.

Although the club intends to move to a cashless environment in the near future, there will be cash gates in operation on the day of the game, for both home and away fans, and our ticket office is also open from 11am for ticket sales.

Aberdeen fans will be housed in our South Stand.

Watch live

The match is available to buy on pay-per-view to fans in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

To buy for £12, head to ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Please note that due to UEFA restrictions, this game is not purchasable if you are in England.

If you’re a season ticket holder who cannot make the match, you can still watch a live stream for free at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

International viewers can watch through our subscription service at live.motherwellfc.co.uk. Packages start at as little as £12.50 per month to watch all 38 cinch Premiership fixtures.

socially-distanced section

We want all supporters to feel safe to return to Fir Park as soon as possible.

Following supporter feedback, we are opening a limited capacity section for our next home match with Aberdeen where social distancing measures will be in place.

Fans in these sections in the north and south ends of the Phil O’Donnell Stand will be asked to keep a 1.5m distance from others not in their household, and to wear masks at all times.

If you are a season ticket holder who would like to relocate to this section for the match, please visit the ticket office from 11am on Saturday.

Tale of the tape

Aberdeen won the last encounter between the two sides, picking up a 2-0 victory at Pittodrie in January.

Last time at Fir Park, the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in late December.

Prior to defeat up north last time, Motherwell were unbeaten in three against the Dons, having racked up back-to-back wins at Pittodrie.

Form guide

Motherwell have seven points from the first 12 available, having picked up a first home win against Dundee last time out.

Aberdeen sit a point and a place better off in fourth, having drawn with Ross County and Hearts, following on from wins at Livingston and then at home to Dundee United.

Join us for food and drink

Our Cooper Bar is open from 12pm to 6pm for food and drinks. All are welcome to join us.

Our kiosks inside Fir Park are also open again.