Motherwell can today confirm Lee Erwin has signed for English Championship club Leeds Utd.
Erwin, 21, who has been at the club for almost ten years and is a graduate of the Elite Academy, had been offered several new deals to stay at Fir Park after flourishing under boss Ian Baraclough.
However, despite the clubs’ best efforts to keep the former Scotland Youth International, he has chosen to sign a three-year deal with the Yorkshire side.
Motherwell FC has protected its rights to training compensation for the player and will now pursue that with the Elland Road club at the point of registration.
Commenting, ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “We are obviously disappointed to lose a player like Lee and I told the lad himself I think he would’ve benefited from a further year playing week to week in our first-team.
[pullquote]This is yet another example of Motherwell producing or recruiting a player, developing them and helping them move up the football ladder.[/pullquote]
“However, with that all being said, I understand how football works and Leeds Utd is a great club with a great tradition and it’s a big opportunity for him. We’re very proud of him and what he’s achieved.
“From our point of view, it’s a feather in the cap for our Elite Academy; from Chris McCart, Gordon Young and Scott Leitch as well as the individual coaches and the scouts who worked with Lee from such a young age.
“They are often over-looked, but this is yet another example of Motherwell producing or recruiting a player, developing them and helping them move up the football ladder.
“That’s exactly our strategy for the forthcoming years and the challenge for myself and everyone at the club is to find the next Lee Erwin, and do it all over again.
“I would like to personally thank Lee for all his effort since my arrival at the club. He has been absolutely superb for me both in matches and in training and has earned this move. We wish him all the very best in his career down south.”