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Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has signed for Motherwell from Newcastle Jets for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance and work permit formalities. 

The Australian international joins the club on a three-year-deal, with the club holding an option of a fourth year.

“We’ve been looking to bring someone in who is a goalscorer,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“Apostolos has qualities that we’re looking to add to the squad.

“Last season, he performed exceptionally. In the team of the season, the All Stars game and earning his first international cap is all things he got because of his performances.

“It’s a good bit of business for the club.”

Stamatelopoulos signed a scholarship deal with Adelaide United in 2017 and started his time there with a bang. In just his fourth appearance, he netted his first A-League goal to draw his side level against Western Sydney Wanderers in January 2018. Scoring four goals in 19 games, he departed the club after two years.

He then moved to Western United in 2019 where he made 11 appearances.

In 2021, he began his first spell with Newcastle Jets. He continued to find the back of the net in a short amount of minutes, scoring three times in 12 games. At the end of the 2021/22 season, the forward ventured overseas for the first time in his career, playing for Greek Clubs A. E. Rodos and PAS Giannina F.C.

He made 34 appearances between the two sides and returned to the Jets in 2023 where he really began to kick on.

Joining on a two-year deal, he went on to find the back of the net 17 times during the 2023/24 season, earning him a spot in the PFA A-League Team of the Season and in A-League All Stars match against Newcastle United. He continued to impress and scored a brace in the match.

He was rewarded for his excellent season by being named in Graham Arnold’s Australian World Cup Qualifying squad for matches against Bangladesh and Palestine in the summer. Stamatelopoulos received his first cap, coming on as a second-half substitute in the match against Palestine.

With 24 goals in 60 A-League matches, Stamatelopoulos will add a goalscoring threat to the Steelmen’s frontline.

“It’s great to finally say I’m a Motherwell player,” Stamatelopoulos added.

“I was at the game on Sunday and got a real feel for the place. Seeing all the fans together and the boys playing, I just wanted to get out there.

“It’s been a long journey to get here but I can now focus on making an impact. I’m here to score goals, that’s my job. I will do my best to fulfil that.

“The boys have been brilliant and it’s been great meeting all the staff. I can’t wait to see what’s in store ahead.”

It was a day of mixed emotions for the Steelmen as despite progressing to the next round of the Premier Sports Cup, their performance against Partick Thistle left a lot to be desired. 

Zach Robinson was unlucky not to find the back of the net in the first half, with Liam Gordon and Dan Casey also going close, but neither side could break the deadlock in 90 minutes and as a result, the game went to penalties with Motherwell’s progression already secured.

Aston Oxborough did his part, saving two stops and almost a third. However, with O’Donnell, Seddon and Wells all missing, the bonus point headed back to Glasgow.

A draw was enough for Motherwell to claim top spot in group G and progress into the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.

For the second time in this competition the Fir Park men faced a penalty shoot-out. Thankfully, the group was decided before Thistle converted three penalties to collect the bonus point.

After converting all five against Montrose, ‘Well were less efficient from the spot this time, with only Ebiye hitting the back of the net, while Seddon, O’Donnell and Wells all missed, as Oxborough’s two saves proved pointless.

With the SPL kick-off next up Stuart Kettlewell possibly considered his line-up with the visit of Ross County next Saturday in mind.

While the ‘Well boss still debated on his first choice ‘keeper, Aston Oxborough was back in goal. And Harry Paton’s long term injury allowed Andy Halliday a midfield spot, while up front Filip Stuparevic was paired with Zach Robinson.

After a brief flurry around the home goal Mason McCready made his first routine save gathering a low shot from Lennon Miller.

The best chance of an opening gaol came at the other end.

From four yards Danny MacKay should have side footed Fitzpatrick’s cross beyond Oxborough. He almost made amends minutes later when his pass across the six yard box slid beyond the stretching Brian Graham.

After 27 minutes the Thistle ‘keeper made two superb save to keep the scores level.

A steady build up ended with Robinson collecting the ball at the edge of the box and his curled shot was heading for the top right-hand corner until McCready leapt to palm the ball against his crossbar before taking a thump from Miller as he tried to no home the rebound.

From Halliday’s corner the ‘keeper produced great reflexes this time palming Liam Gordon’s powerful header over the bar.

Just before half-time Aaron Muirhead’s challenge on Robinson at the edge of the box was ignored by referee David Dickenson, amidst loud claims for a penalty, as the half finished with ‘Well unable to find the opening goal.

The ‘Well boss was hoping that a half-time change would help break the deadlock, with Dylan Wells replacing Stuparevic.

First chance of the half came seven minutes later. Stephen O’Donnell’s cut back found Ewan Wilson but on his wrong foot as he blazed the ball wide of target.

A quick break from the visitor’s found MacKay cutting in from the right wing but Oxborough stood big to block the angled shot.

That gave the Firhill men a lift as they started to press towards the ‘Well goal in search of a goal that would take them to the top of the group.

On the hour mark Marvin Kaleta made his debut as Shane Blaney made way.

With 68 minutes played Wilson curled a tempting ball towards the six yard area. But having found its way to the unmarked Robinson his attempt at a diving header failed miserably. That was the striker’s last chance to find the net as Moses Ebiye was given the opportunity to add to his goal tally.

Best chance, though, came at the opposite end. Mackay opened up the home defence and his cut back to Graham eight yards in front of goal begged a finish and put the visitor’s in the driving seat but the Thistle captain scooped the ball over the bar.

With the prospect of penalties looming Kettlewell sent on Mark Ferrie and Steve Seddon.

And the former Oxford United full back made an immediate impact with a run and cross which found Ebiye in front of goal only to see his header pushed away by McCready.

With neither team able to find a winner the game headed for a penalty decider and earning Thistle a bonus point which was not enough to overtake Motherwell at the top of group G.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts on Motherwell’s draw with Partick Thistle.

The Steelmen lost on penalties but still topped Group G and progressed to the Second Round where they will face Kilmarnock.

We have been drawn to face Kilmarnock in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup.

The Ayrshire side come into the competition in the second round due to their participation in Europe.

The tie will be played at Fir Park on the weekend of August 17/18.

Ticket details will be released in due course.

Newly named captain Paul McGinn speaks about the pride and honour of being named skipper for the upcoming season.

The defender says he will be a slightly different captain to Liam Kelly.

Motherwell go into this final Premier Sports Cup group match with their fate in their own hands and manager Stuart Kettlewell think this scenario is an excellent advert for the competition.

Kettlewell confirms the injury update on Harry Paton who will now be out for a minimum of 14 weeks, as well as providing updates on Ross Callachan, Sam Nicholson and Callum Slattery.

The Motherwell boss all speaks about the recent speculation surrounding Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.

Midfielder Harry Paton has underwent surgery for an injury sustained in Motherwell’s 3-1 win over Clyde last Saturday.

The Canadian was forced off in the first-half following the incident. Manager Stuart Kettlewell has provided the following update on the state of play.

“Harry has had surgery on his ankle,” he said.

“It was a pretty bad injury. It looks like he’ll be out for a minimum of 14 weeks. We’ll support Harry to make sure he comes back from this injury.

“We’ve got the likes of Ross Callachan and Sam Nicholson out doing some pretty extensive work but not back in the group yet. That’s moving in the right direction.

“Callum Slattery is coming along really well, he has a smile on his face because he’s making good strides.

“He’s desperate to get back on the pitch but there’s a timescale involved. You won’t see him playing until well into November. If we introduce him too early, there’s a risk of another injury.”

Motherwell will round off their Group G campaign against Partick Thistle on Sunday 28 July.

Kick off is 3pm at Fir Park.

How to follow the game

This match will be exclusively shown live on Premier Sports 1.

Premier Sports will be broadcasting over 75 live games in total from the William Hill Premiership, Scottish Cup and the Premier Sports Cup, featuring exclusive Motherwell games including the following Premier Sports Cup Group stage games, with more to follow:

• Motherwell v Partick Thistle (3pm on 28 July – TV game – live on Premier Sports 1)

Motherwell fans can watch these exclusive games on Premier Sports – who are offering a special, limited-time annual offer of £99 for an entire year of Premier Sports by using promo code FITBA99, saving you £92 on the regular annual price – almost 50%!

To begin, head to the Premier Sports website.

Simply select the ‘Pre-Paid Annual’ option on the subscribe now page, and enter the promo code FITBA99 to avail of this special, limited time offer.

This will give you live and on-demand access to all 75 Scottish football games and all other channel content including LALIGA, United Rugby Championship and much more. This offer is applicable only to Sky and Premier Sports streaming service platforms.

If you have a Season Ticket, an adult ticket will cost £10, with all concessions costing £5.

If you don’t have a Season Ticket, adults will be £12 and concessions will be £6.

Motherwell season ticket holders will have until 25^th July at 5pm for the Partick Thistle match to reserve their seat, with the ticket being added to their season card.

To buy tickets, click here.

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

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

The Cooper Suite will open from 12 noon for food and drink again with our new caterers and the Centenary Suite from 1pm for drinks only.

Cooper Box hospitality will be the only hospitality on offer for this game.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for Sunday’s match.

Injury Update

Paul McGinn made his return to the match day squad on Saturday against Clyde, with the skipper an unused substitute. Steve Seddon also returned to the bench following his absence.

Callum Slattery, Johnny Koutroumbis and Harry Paton will all be missing for this match. The latter came off in the first-half against Clyde after a coming together with a Clyde defender. An update on Paton’s injury will be published when details are confirmed.

Tom Sparrow remains out, as are Sam Nicholson and Ross Callachan.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell’s win over Clyde last weekend put their chances of finishing top firmly in their own grasp. Sitting on eight points after three games, a win over Partick Thistle would see the Steelmen top of the group and safely into the hat for the next round.

Moses Ebiye got his first goal of the competitive season, as well as Lennon Miller and Filip Stuparevic. With Theo Bair’s departure confirmed, the team have stepped up in the goals department with seven goals scored by seven different players in the three matches thus far.

Opposition Report

Thistle play on Tuesday night against Clyde. Should they win, they would go top of the group by one point. A win in a penalty shootout would also see them go top, level on points with Motherwell but with a better goal difference.

A defeat would see them remain two points behind top spot, level on points with Clyde who have Montrose still to play on Saturday.

Permutations

To qualify for the second round, Motherwell would need to come first or be one of the best three runners-up.

The best three group winners join the sides in European competition as seeded.

This section will be updated following the conclusion of Tuesday night’s matches.

Motherwell knew a win would ensure their fate with regards to progressing to the next round would be firmly in their own hands. 

A short trip to Hamilton to face League Two Clyde was the third match in Group G for the ‘Well and they got off to a bright start early doors. With a list of chances, Moses Ebiye eventually found the breakthrough from Ewan Wilson’s cross.

More missed opportunities was punished when some slack defending costs the visitors and Clyde levelled.

Not getting hung up on this setback, Lennon Miller won a penalty kick just minutes later before stick the resulting spot kick into the roof of the net.

Filip Stuparevic made sure of the points with a fine curling effort with under 10 minutes to go and although the game could’ve been won by more, the job for the day was complete.

Top of the group, with Partick Thistle still to play, it’ll be a showdown on Sunday at Fir Park for that top spot in the group.