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Christopher Long is the latest Motherwell recruit ahead of the 2019/20 season.

The English forward has signed an initial one-year deal and will officially join on the expiry of his contract with Blackpool this month.

Long, 24, is a product of the Everton youth academy and has experience in the English Championship and League One.

“We’ve been keen to add players in the forward positions and Chris will bring another element to our attack,” manager Stephen Robinson said of his sixth signing of the summer.

“He’s got pace to burn, has an incredible work rate and can play anywhere across the front three, which will give us plenty of variety going forward.”

Liverpudlian Long spent time on loan with MK Dons and Brentford while on the books at Everton, scoring four goals in 11 games with the latter in the second tier.

An appearance in the UEFA Europa League came with the Toffees in 2014, getting on the pitch against FC Krasnodar in a game which also saw former ‘Well players Russell Griffiths and Conor Grant on the bench.

A permanent move to then-Championship side Burnley followed in 2015, before further loan spells at Fleetwood Town, Northampton Town and Bolton Wanderers.

After three years at Turf Moor, he signed at Fleetwood Town at the start of last season, before switching to Blackpool in January.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Long said on signing for the club.

“I’ve seen a number of my ex-team mates and players I’ve come up against join the club in the past and become a success. I’m hoping to follow in their footsteps.”

Motherwell will head to the borders to take on Chris Humphrey’s Gretna in a pre-season friendly in early July.

The former Jamaican international was a popular figure at Fir Park between 2009 and 2013, where he notched up 163 appearances including outings in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and the Scottish Cup final.

He retired from full time football late last year and has taken the reins at Gretna, in what is his first foray into management.

The game will take place on Tuesday, 2 July at Raydale Park, ‘Well’s first ever fixture at the ground, with kick-off set at 7.15pm.

PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Wednesday, 17 June: Players return for pre season
Monday 24 to Friday 28 June: Training camp in Belfast
Wednesday 26 June v Crusaders (A)
Saturday 29 June v Linfield (A)
Tuesday 2 July v Gretna (A)
Saturday 6 July v Darlington (A)

The 2019/20 starts for Motherwell away to Queen of the South on Saturday, 13 July.

Our first Betfred Cup group stage game comes at Palmerston Park, with a 3pm kick off.

Next, Greenock Morton will be the visitors to Fir Park in a televised match on BT Sport on Friday, 19 July. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

An away match with Dumbarton follows on Tuesday, 23 July at 7.45pm, before Annan Athletic are the visitors in the final game at Fir Park on Saturday, 27 July at 3pm.

Ticket information will be announced in due course.

2019/20 Betfred Cup Group E fixtures

Saturday, 13 July: Queen of the South (A), 3pm

Friday, 19 July: Greenock Morton (H), 7.45pm

Tuesday, 23 July: Dumbarton (A), 7.45pm

Saturday, 27 July: Annan Athletic (H), 3pm

We’ve confirmed three pre-season games as we build up to the 2019/20 campaign.

Our first comes at Crusaders on Wednesday, 26 June, before we face Linfield three days later, and then travel to face Darlington shortly after.

Crusaders v Motherwell

Wednesday, 26 June at Seaview Stadium, Belfast. Kick-off 7.45pm.

Supporters can pay at the gate at the stadium.

Linfield v Motherwell

Saturday 29 June at Windsor Park, Belfast. Kick-off 1.30pm.

Motherwell fans will be accommodated in the corner of the South Stand nearest to the railway end.

Tickets are available in advance online or can be bought from the ticket office at the rear of the Railway Stand from 12pm on the day of the game.

Darlington v Motherwell

Saturday 6 July at Blackwell Meadows, Darlington. Kick-off 2pm.

Fans can pay at the gate. Cash and contactless payment is available at the turnstiles.

Jermaine Hylton is the latest addition to the Motherwell squad for the 2019/20 season.

The English winger signs from Solihull Moors on a two-year deal and follows Declan Gallagher, Liam Polworth, Jake Carroll and Casper Sloth in joining the ‘Well.

A former youth player with Birmingham City, 26-year-old Hylton scored 15 goals in the National League with Solihull Moors last campaign.

Hylton is quick, tricky and with an eye for goal. Over and above his goal haul from the wing, he also created a number of goals for the Moors.

”Jermaine helps us boost our forward options for next season,” manager Stephen Robinson said of his latest capture.

”He’s dynamic, sharp and knows where the net is too. He had an excellent time in a very good Solihull side and we hope he can replicate some of that form here.

”We’ve added five new faces and our priority remains adding more reinforcements at the top end of the park in terms of strikers and wingers.”

Hylton played his first top team minutes at Redditch United in 2012, netting 41 goals and getting 20 assists across two seasons, before being picked up by League One side Swindon Town.

Playing 45 times for the Robins, he switched to Solihull Moors in 2017. After overcoming injury, his stock started to rise in the National League, bringing him to the attention of the Steelmen as he played a key part in his team finishing second in the division ahead of Salford City.

“It’s exciting for me to take the next step in my career with Motherwell,” Hylton said on joining the club.

“I’ve learned a lot already about what it’s like to play in Scotland and the different challenges it will present.

“I hope I can bring something different to the team in the new season and help the club make an impact in the league and cups.”

Motherwell will face Greenock Morton, Queen of the South, Annan Athletic and Dumbarton in the 2019/20 Betfred Cup group stage.

The Steelmen were top seeds in Tuesday’s draw and will pit their wits against the four sides in July.

Fixture dates and venues will be announced shortly. Motherwell will play two games at home, and two away.

Five potential matchdays are available on 13/14 July, 16/17 July, 20/21 July, 23/24 July and 27/28 July.

Stephen Robinson’s side progressed from their group in 2018/19, topping a pool featuring Queen of the South, Stranraer, Edinburgh City and Clyde.

Progression to the quarter-finals followed after defeating Livingston, before the run was ended in a tight game at Hearts.

Darlington will again be pre-season opponents for Motherwell, as we gear up for the 2019/20 campaign.

Stephen Robinson’s side will return to Blackwell Meadows on Saturday, 6 July. Kick off will be at 2pm.

Motherwell were 5-1 winners on their visit in 2018, with Cédric Kipré, Ryan Bowman, James Scott, Danny Johnson and Allan Campbell on the scoresheet.

Ticket information will be announced shortly.

It’s time to vote for your Tullibardine Player of the Month for May and the final one for the 2018/19 season.

The Steelmen claimed victory in their last game against Livingston, as well as drawing at home to St Mirren and losing at St Johnstone.

To vote, head to our Facebook page and follow the instructions.

David Turnbull has been a consistent winner of the award and bagged a further three goals to take his season tally to 15.

Allan Campbell has been his usual consistent self throughout the month in midfield, helping to provide the solid base for the team to build.

James Scott continued to impress leading the line, proving a massive handful for top flight defenders.

Mark Gillespie saved yet another penalty at the end of the campaign, denying Ryan Hardie in the win over Livingston.

Casper Sloth is the latest addition to the Motherwell squad for the forthcoming 2019/20 campaign.

The Danish international central midfielder will move to Fir Park on a two-year deal, when his contract at Silkeborg comes to an end in late June.

The 27-year-old has eight caps for his country and has made almost 200 appearances at club level.

“Casper has undoubted technical ability and arrives at the club with an impressive CV,” manager Stephen Robinson said of his fourth summer signing.

“He was at one point considered one of the real emerging talents in Danish football, but perhaps will have been frustrated with how his career has gone over the last few years.

“We want to give him the platform and help him recapture his best form. Motherwell is a club which prides itself on getting people back on the right path, and that’s very much our aim with Casper.

“He has been over to train with us and impressed us not only with his ability on the park, but his desire, his hunger to be here and with a bit of a point to prove.

“He’s a very talented, technical footballer and I look forward to working with him, making him even better and watching him shine again.

”We are continuing to work on transfer targets. Our priorities now lie in bringing in forwards.”

Sloth joins Liam Polworth, Declan Gallagher and Jake Carroll in committing to join Motherwell for the new season.

“I am very happy to be coming to play for Motherwell,” said the player on signing on at the club.

“I have heard a lot about the club and Scottish football. It is the perfect place for me to come to play.

“My immediate focus will be on establishing myself in the team and bringing my experience to help the club push higher.”

He played youth football at local side Brabrand IF but started his professional career at AGF Aarhus. He made his debut in the Danish Superliga aged just 17 and was hailed as one of the country’s brightest prospects.

It was around that time he also made his senior international debut for the Danes, starting against Turkey in Istanbul in November 2012. Casper would go on to make a further seven appearances for De rød-hvide, including an impressive showing against England at Wembley in March 2014.

After five years and over 150 games with Aarhus, he won a big money moved to English Championship side Leeds United in April 2013, making his league debut against Bolton shortly after.

He would only turn out 14 times for the Whites in a two-year period where the club had six different managers. In July 2016, an undisclosed fee would take him back to his homeland and Aalborg BK.

He spent a year at AaB before moving to his current club, Silkeborg, where he has played for the last two seasons.

A number of players will leave Motherwell at the conclusion of the 2018/19 season.

The following first team players were either not offered contracts or have informed the club they intend to leave after 31 May 2019.

• Carl McHugh
• Elliott Frear
• Alex Rodriguez Gorrín
• Aaron Taylor-Sinclair
• George Newell
• Christian Mbulu
• Jake Hastie
• Curtis Main

The following reserve players will also depart:

• Shaun Bowers
• Liam Brown
• Shea Gordon
• Kyle MacDonald
• Neil McLaughlin
• Akeal Rehman
• Broque Watson

Four further players will leave as their loan deals expire when the summer transfer window opens again in early June.

• Tom Aldred (Bury)
• Gboly Ariyibi (Nottingham Forest)
• Ross McCormack (Aston Villa)
• Conor Sammon (Heart of Midlothian)

Chris Cadden has been offered an extended contract but is yet to sign.

Craig Tanner has been offered a short-term deal to help ensure he regains full fitness, following a long-term knee injury that has sidelined him since March 2018.

When Craig is fit to rejoin training, he will be assessed by the coaching staff with a view to winning an extended contract.

The following players have already signed pre-contract agreements and will join the club for pre-season training in June.

• Declan Gallagher
• Liam Polworth
• Jake Carroll
• Casper Sloth

“I would like to record my thanks to every player who will leave us in the next few weeks,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“Modern football is such that there is now likely to be a significant turnover of players at most clubs each year.

“We’ve already extended the contracts of numerous players and have confirmed three new faces already by this point.

“We remain committed to keeping at least some of the lads who are currently out of contract or been with us on loan, and those discussions will continue over the summer break.

“We will also look to strengthen the squad and the starting team with more new faces ahead of pre-season training starting on 19 June.”

Motherwell Football Club would like to sincerely thank every player who is leaving Fir Park for the last time and wish them every success in their future careers.