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Jili Buyabu has joined on loan from Sheffield United for the remainder of the season, subject to international clearance. 

The 20-year-old has two appearances for the Premier League side, joined the Blades in 2021 from Non-League side Hornchurch. United fought off the likes of Chelsea and Nottingham Forest to secure his signature at the time.

“We have been tracking Jili and I’m please to have him on board,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He is another bright prospect, who has attracted a number of clubs so far in his career.

“This is a move we’re excited by at the club and feel he can add something to the squad.”

Buyabu is predominantly a full-back but can operate further forward also.

Full-back Adam Devine has joined the club on a loan deal from Rangers until the end of the season. 

The 20-year-old makes the switch from Glasgow, having made one appearance for Rangers first-team this season.

With 11 appearances in total at Rangers, Devine is a regular in the Scotland youth sides and currently represents at Under 21 level.

He has had loan spells with Partick Thistle and Brechin City prior to his arrival in ML1.

“Adam is a promising, young talent,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He has made appearances at first-team level for Rangers and has been a regular in the matchday squads, which I think shows he is highly thought of by Rangers.

“I hope he brings energy and enthusiasm. This is a chance for him to prove himself at this level and I look forward to working with him.”

Adam Devine will wear the number 21 kit this season.

“I can’t wait to get involved,” Adam Devine added.

“It’s a great club and everyone I have met has been excellent. The manager really sold the club and what he wants to do here and I can’t wait to be a part of that.”

Assistant Manager Stephen Frail goes through all transfer rumours associated with the club including Kevin van Veen, Blair Spittal and David Turnbull. 

The Motherwell number two says the club is active on deadline day and we could see some new faces in ML1. He also previews the match against Kilmarnock on Saturday in the cinch Premiership.

Theo Bair is your G4 Claims player of the month for January.

Beating Blair Spittal, Georgie Gent and Davor Zdravkovski in the vote, the Canadian scoops back-to-back awards.

He opened his account for 2024 against Hibernian at Easter Road, levelling the game to make it three goals in two games.

Leading the line against Alloa Athletic in the cup, he then went on to find the back of the net in three successive league matches against his former side St Johnstone on Saturday.

With four goals in his last three league games, Bair has hit a purple patch and wins his second player of the month award at the club.

Adam Montgomery has suffered a serious injury that will keep him out for a considerable period of time. 

The full-back, who had joined on loan from Celtic, made his debut in the 3-1 victory over Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup.

However, he had to withdraw from a training session and has since undergone scans to determine the issue.

Montgomery has now returned to Celtic to undergo his rehabilitation.

Speedy recovery, Adam.

Jack Vale has joined the club on loan from Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season, subject to international clearance and paperwork. 

The Welsh 22-year-old frontman is a product of the Blackburn Academy, joining the club in 2016.

He has played for their under 18 and under 21 side and has spent time on loan at Rochdale, Halifax Town and most recently, Lincoln City.

Vale has made 25 senior appearances for Blackburn Rovers, with his debut coming in 2020, scoring two goals. He spent the first half of this season on loan in League One with the Imps, featuring 17 times and scoring two goals in the process.

“It’s great to get Jack in as he plays in an area of the pitch we have been desperately trying to recruit,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He has got plenty experience at Championship level for a boy his age and he is highly regarded of at Blackburn.

“Jack has found the back of the net regularly at Under 21 level in England and this loan will provide him with a platform and opportunity to do the same again in Scotland.”

He has also represented his country at youth level, from Under 15s to Under 21s.

“I’m really happy to be here,” Jack Vale added.

“I’ve seen how well Georgie has done here and I want to try and do something similar. I want to use this loan move to try and get myself more first-team appearances at Blackburn.

“I can’t wait to meet all the fans this weekend.”

Striker Sophia Martin has put pen to paper on a loan agreement from defending champions Glasgow City until the end of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

The Cambuslang-born forward makes the switch to K-Park, after making her debut for the Glasgow side in last seasons title-deciding year. Martin has since netted three times for the Petershill Park outfit in 17-appearances.

The 17-year-old signed her first professional contract in Springburn only days after her 16th birthday, and is believed to be the youngest ever female player to do so.

A product of the Glasgow City youth academy, the Scottish youth internationalist makes the move to North Lanarkshire, after representing her country across U15, U16 and U17 age categories. Martin will join fellow January acquisition Laura Berry after being named in the 21-player squad at next month’s MIMA Cup in Spain.

“This is another excellent addition for the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Sophia has already had a wealth of experience at this level and this addition will add a new element to our forward line whilst providing the perfect environment to continue her development as a player.

“I’m really excited to get the loan deal done,” Martin explained.

“It’s a really good opportunity for me and my development, it will be a valuable experience for me in the next six-months.

“I can’t wait to get in with the team and work under the coaching staff.”

Sophia Martin will wear the number 9 kit this season.

It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for January. 

Davor Zdravkovski, Theo Bair, Georgie Gent and Blair Spittal are all up for nomination.

To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.

Games in January

• Hibernian 2-2 Motherwell
• Motherwell 3-1 Alloa Athletic 
• St Johnstone 1-1 Motherwell

Motherwell take on Kilmarnock at Fir Park on Saturday 3 February. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 9am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Injury Update

Callum Slattery and Jon Obika remain missing for this match.

Shane Blaney returned to the bench against St Johnstone on Saturday and could feature. Dan Casey and Barry Maguire will be assessed this week going into the match.

Adam Montgomery has picked up an injury in training and won’t be available.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell made it four games unbeaten on Saturday, when they came away with a 1-1 draw from McDiarmid Park. A strong performance could have seen the Steelmen come away with all three points. Theo Bair made it four goals in three league matches with a first half header.

The result means Motherwell occupy ninth place in the table, on 21 points.

A late Harry Paton strike earned Motherwell all three points back in August against Kilmarnock, while Killie got the better of Stuart Kettlewell’s side in a 1-0 win down in Ayrshire in November.

Opposition Report

Kilmarnock have won two, drawn two and lost in their last five matches. Their most game ended in a 2-2 draw against Hibernian at Rugby Park, with Hibernian mounting a late comeback in the match.

A fine run of form has got Kilmarnock up to fourth in the table. Danny Armstrong continues to be a valuable player for Killie, with the winger currently on five goals and 12 assists in 30 games this season.

With the cinch Premiership resuming following the winter break, Motherwell travelled to Perth looking to continue a decent run of form in the last three games. 

With a depleted squad, the Steelmen got off the worst possible start, conceding inside four minutes from a free kick.

However, the reaction was impressive and having had a couple of sighters on goal, Theo Bair levelled the game on the half hour mark, with his fourth goal in three league games.

In the second half, Motherwell continued to dominate and created numerous openings but couldn’t find the back of the net for the second time in the match.

It’s now four games unbeaten for Stuart Kettlewell’s side, and their seventh draw in 12 matches, but Motherwell will focus on the positives going into their next match against Kilmarnock.