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Kevin van Veen has joined Eerste Divisie side FC Groningen for an undisclosed fee. 

The Dutch striker, who joined in the summer 2021 from Scunthorpe on a free transfer, has played 83 games for the claret and amber, scoring 40 times and makes the switch to the Netherlands.

Breaking the all-time club record of scoring in 11 consecutive games, Van Veen scored 29 goals in the 22/23 campaign and will go down in the Motherwell FC history books.

Following an initial approach we received some weeks ago and after a number of discussions with the player and his representatives, at a Board meeting last week, the Club reluctantly agreed to sell Kevin van Veen to Dutch side Groningen.

Our strong preference was to retain Van Veen but it became clear that the club was not in a financial position to make a new contract proposal to Kevin that was competitive with what he was being offered by Groningen or to turn down the significant fee we were able to negotiate for a player with only a year remaining on his current contract.

The Club has always been clear that revenue from player trading is required to ensure we are financially stable over the medium and long term.

“Of course, we are disappointed to be losing a player of Kevin’s quality,” Stuart Kettlewell said.

“His effort in my time here has been exceptional and I appreciate his hard work.

“I have a great relationship with Kevin and know how much he loved his time here. I sincerely hope he has a successful time with Groningen and wish him all the best.

“Now, we face a difficult task to replace Kevin but we are working very hard behind the scenes to take this club forward.”

“Leaving Motherwell has been a really difficult decision,” Kevin van Veen added.

“From the day I arrived, I felt loved and I felt at home.

“It has been emotional and a privilege to feel the support from all the fans since day one. From having my own song, to the banners, this has been a special time of my life and I’ll never forget it.

“Breaking the records is one of my biggest accomplishments to date but more importantly, I hope in doing so, repaid the fans for their support.

“I’ll be following Motherwell from now on, every week, and I’ll look back fondly on my time here.

“Thanks for the memories and I’ll miss you all. I am in love….”

Motherwell Football Club wants to thank Kevin for his efforts at Fir Park and wish him the very best going forward.

Tickets for our 2023/24 Viaplay Cup opener against Elgin City are now on sale. 

Adult tickets cost £12, while concessions are £6.

Tickets can be purchased online, with step-by-step instructions for supporters.

For a disabled ticket, a concessionary ticket should be purchased on Fanbase with entry via gate 4 on the day.  The carer goes free.

We have been allocated 1,000 tickets at Borough Briggs.

We will take on Longa ’30 in our second friendly match during our one-week trip to Holland. 

The match will take place on Friday 30 June, with kick-off at 7pm local time (6pm U.K time).

The game takes place at HMC ’17, Looweg 25 in Harreveld.

Supporters are welcome to attend the match, with entry free of charge.

Longa play in the Vierde Divisie in Holland and this friendly match will be their first fixture of the new season. 

Our other friendly match takes place on Tuesday 27 June against HSC Haaksbergen at Groot Scholtenhagen stadium.

Entry is free for supporters.

Kick off is 7.30pm local time (6.30pm U.K time).

Striker Jon Obika has signed a one-year contract with the club, subject to international clearance, with an option of a further year. 

Obika joined in January 2023, initially on loan from Morecambe, and went on to make 10 appearances in the claret and amber, scoring one goal.

The 32-year-old missed seven games last season due to a hamstring injury but was back fit for the last three games.

“Having been here last season, I was really eager to come back again this season,” Jon Obika said.

“I thrive when I work in a professional environment and feel that’s when I can get the best out of me. This club has high standards in abundance and I’m fully committed for the campaign ahead.

“There is a real feel-good factor at the club and I’m looking forward to trying to create a successful season together.”

Jon Obika becomes Stuart Kettlewell’s first 2023 summer signing and is looking forward to working with the striker once again.

“Jon has impressed me with his attitude and application since I arrived,” Stuart Kettlewell added.

“He picked up a hamstring injury when we played Ross County in Dingwall. He picked the knock up in the first few minutes of the game but continued to fight and help the team towards a massive win on the road.

“That’s the type of character he is and I’m delighted we can keep him at the club.”

With the beginning of our competitive season only four weeks away, we can provide the following update on season ticket sales. 

At this moment, we have sold 3,150 2023/24 season tickets.

The club are, as ever, grateful and thankful for your unwavering support for the team.

We have exceeded our number of sales compared to this time last year by 300 tickets.

You are able to renew or purchase your season ticket for the upcoming campaign here.

If renewing, login to your ticketing account.

You should then have a notification to ‘renew now’ on your profile.

Then select ‘add to basket’ and follow the on screen instructions to complete the transaction.

It’s easy to buy new. Head here to our online ticketing platform and then press ‘season tickets’.

You’ll then be given the option to choose where in the stadium you would like to sit. From there, you can create yourself an account and then buy your season ticket for the 2023/24 campaign.

Alternatively, call us on 01698 333333 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

If you need assistance with using our online ticketing website, a guide can be found here.

We have also seen a rise in our hospitality seasonal sales.

If anyone is interested in looking at our wide range of hospitality package for the season or half the season, contact hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.

We can provide the following update on players who will not be renewing their contract for next season. 

Leaving us after four years of service is, Jake Carroll.

The Irish full-back joined Motherwell in 2019 from Cambridge and went on to make over 75 appearances for the club.

Missing most of the 2022/23 season due to a knee injury suffered early in the season, Carroll moves on to the next stage of his career.

With Carroll still not fully recovered from this fluke injury, he has been offered to use our facilities here at Fir Park until required.

Jack Aitchison will be departing the club after arriving on deadline day in January.

The striker made 11 appearances for Motherwell in his spell at the club.

David Devine moves on after coming through the youth ranks at Motherwell.

The centre-back made his first-team debut back in 2019 against Livingston however has since struggled with injury. With loan spells at Queen of the South, Alloa and East Fife in his time, Devine moves on with our best wishes for the future.

We can also confirm Corey O’Donnell, Daniel Hunter and Kian Speirs will be departing the club.

Logan Dunachie has also left and has since joined Clyde on a permanent deal.

The club wants thank all players who are leaving.

We remain in discussions with a number of players ahead of next season and will provide an accurate update when possible.

We will face HSC Haaksbergen in Holland during our pre-season training camp. 

Stuart Kettlewell’s men will face the Dutch outfit on Tuesday 27 June at Groot Scholtenhagen stadium.

Kick-off is 7.30pm local time.

Supporters are welcome to attend the match, with entry to the stadium free of charge.

HSC finished sixth in the Derde Divise in 2022/23 with their competitive season ending on the 28 May 2023.

“HSC Haaksbergen will provide us with valued minutes during our training camp,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“As much as training is important, playing matches is what will help the players get up to speed ahead of the new season.”

A second fixture is close to being confirmed and will be announced shortly.

Motherwell will face Queen’s Park, Queen of the South, East Fife and Elgin City in the group stage of the 2023/24 Viaplay Cup group stage.

The Steelmen return to competitive action in July for the four cup matches in Group G.

All group stage winners will qualify for round two of the Viaplay Cup, with the three best runners-up also reaching the next stage.

Queen’s Park

A familiar opponent in this competition, Queen’s Park have faced Motherwell twice in the League Cup since 2017.

The most recent meeting between the two sides was our group stage opener at Firhill, where Steven Lawless scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for the Steelmen.

Queen’s Park earned back-to-back promotions and only narrowly missed out on the cinch Championship title on the last day of the season.

Since that match and exiting the playoffs, manager Owen Coyle parted company with the club and the position of manager remains vacant at Queen’s.

Two familiar faces are amongst the Spiders’ squad currently, with Dom Thomas and Liam Brown signed up for the 23/24 season.

It was announced that Queen’s Park would play their home matches at Hampden Park this season.

Queen of the South

Despite the draw not being regionalised this term, there would be a second well-know group stage opponent.

Queen of the South and Motherwell have went head-to-head in the cup at the start of the 2018, 2019 and 2021 seasons.

In those three meetings, Motherwell have a 100% record. It was a memorable return for the Fir Park faithful for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, as Queen of the South took a 2-0 advantage before Motherwell turned the game on it’s head to take the three points.

Marvin Bartley was appointed manager of Queen of the South during last season, which saw an upturn of fortunes. The Doonhamers only finished three points off of the League One playoffs last season.

Queen of the South have already been active in the summer window, with Jordan Houston joining from Ayr United and Murray Johnson arriving on loan from Hibernian earlier this month.

Former Motherwell man Stephen Hendrie was amongst the ranks last season and it would appear he will be a part of Bartley’s plans for next season.

East Fife

East Fife made the playoffs last term, however were beaten by Clyde over two legs.

Motherwell made the trip to Bayview back in 2015, when it turned out to be a long night for the travelling ‘Well fans.

Nathan Austin, who re-joined the club last month, gave the hosts the lead on the night. The Fifers looked on track for a famous victory had it not been for Louis Moult’s equaliser on 80 minutes to take the match to extra time.

Subsequent goals from Scott McDonald and Lionel Ainsworth seen Motherwell eventual 3-1 winners.

Former Motherwell man and scorer in our Europa League third qualifying round second-leg match against Aalesunds, Jonathan Page, is under contract at East Fife.

Elgin City

Two wins and a draw in their last five matches of the 22/23 season, ensured Elgin City avoided the relegation playoff in League Two.

Kane Hester proved to be their main man last season, scoring 18 goals however he has since made the switch to Montrose.

Following the conclusion of the season, Ross Draper was announced as Elgin City manager on a three-year deal.

Fixture dates for the competition will be confirmed shortly.

The 2022/23 season may have only just finished but the next campaign is just around the corner. 

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the new season.

The first date for the diary is on Thursday 8 June, when the Viaplay Cup group stage draw takes place at 1pm. The draw will be broadcast live on Viaplay.

The draw will also be shown live on the SPFL Youtube channel.

Motherwell will be in pot one for the draw. A reminder also, this is the first season where the group stage draw isn’t regionalised.

Following on from that, the first-team will return from their summer break to Fir Park for the first day of pre-season on Monday 19 June. After five days of training, they will travel to Delden, Holland on Saturday 24 June for a seven-day training camp.

During their time in Holland, they will take part in friendly matches, which will be announced just shortly.

Next on the schedule, is the announcement of the 2023/24 cinch Premiership fixtures, which will take place on Friday 30 June at 9am.

The 2023/24 SWPL fixtures will be announced on Monday 3 July.

Matchday one of the group stage of the Viaplay Cup will take place on July 15/16, officially kicking off our competitive season.

The groups will conclude on the weekend of the 29/30 July.

Matchday one of the 23/24 cinch Premiership season will be on the weekend of 5/6 August 2023.

The winter break returns in it’s more familiar format, where there will be no games taking place on the two weekends following January 2 2024.

Matchday 38 of the Premiership season will take place on the weekend of 18/19 May 2024.

With the 2022/23 season at an end, we can provide the following update on players’ contracts.

Under Contract for 2023/24 season

• Liam Kelly
• Aston Oxborough
• Kyle Aitken
• Josh Bogan
• Stephen O’Donnell
• Nathan McGinley
• Paul McGinn
• Ricki Lamie
• Bevis Mugabi
• Shane Blaney
• Calum Butcher
• Callum Slattery
• Lennon Miller
• Riku Danzaki
• Blair Spittal
• Ross Tierney
• Kevin Van Veen
• Joe Efford
• Mark Ferrie
• Luca Ross
• Dylan Wells

Players returning to club following loan and under contract for next season

• Barry Maguire
• Connor Shields
• Robbie Mahon

Players returning to parent club following loan expiry

• James Furlong
• Stuart McKinstry
• Jon Obika
• Olly Crankshaw

Players out of contract- Negotiations with a number of players are still taking place

• Jake Carroll
• Logan Dunachie
• Daniel Hunter
• Kian Speirs
• Jack Aitchison
• Matty Connelly
• Max Johnston
• Ewan Wilson
• Dan Casey
• Dean Cornelius
• Sean Goss
• Mikael Mandron
• David Devine
• Corey O’Donnell
• Harry Paton

Released

• Josh Morris

“I want to personally thank each individual player for their efforts since I arrived at the club,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“Everyone has made an impact at this club in their tenure and helped steer the club to not only another season in the Premiership, but to a strong finish that will only benefit this club at the start of next season.

“We are still speaking with a number of players at this very early stage of the summer and hope to get clarity on each situation very soon.

“For the players departing the club, I wish them all the very best in the future.”