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Aaron Taylor-Sinclair is the latest addition to the Motherwell squad for the 2018/19 season.

The left back has joined up with Stephen Robinson’s side after leaving Plymouth Argyle at the end of last campaign.

Taylor-Sinclair is best known for his previous spell in Scotland with Partick Thistle, with his standout performances bringing him to the attentions of a number of top clubs, and to the brink of a Scotland call-up, before Wigan Athletic won the fight for his signature in 2014.

“The manager got in touch with me early, straight after the season finished.” said the 27-year-old, who has signed a one-year deal.

“When that happens, you feel wanted as a player. I’m delighted to come here.”

Taylor-Sinclair moved from Wigan to Doncaster Rovers in 2015, making over 50 appearances before switching to Plymouth Argyle.

Under former ‘Well player Derek Adams, the Scotsman played a further 29 games but says he’s heading back to the Ladbrokes Premiership looking to nail down a regular starting berth.

“I just want to get games under my belt and get going,” he added. “The manager has put his trust in me and I want to perform.”

Taylor-Sinclair will wear the number three jersey in 2018/19. He will join up with his new team mates when they return to pre-season training on Wednesday.

“We’re delighted to have secured Aaron’s services,” manager Stephen Robinson added.

“He has an excellent pedigree, both here in the top flight and at a good level in England. His style of play fits perfectly into how we try to approach the game and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Adults will be able to watch every Motherwell match in the 2018/19 Betfred Cup group stage for £12 per game.

After reaching agreement amongst our four opponents, a flat fee will be charged for the early season games.

Concessions will be able to gain entry for just £6.

Motherwell kick off their campaign with a home tie with Edinburgh City on Tuesday, 17 July.

A trip to Stranraer follows on Saturday, 21 July, before the visit of Queen of the South to Fir Park three days later.

The group stage ends with a televised game away to fellow Lanarkshire club Clyde on Saturday, 28 July.

Information on buying tickets in advance will be announced shortly. Pay at the gate will also be available.

Ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, Craig Tanner discusses his return to fitness as he steps up his rehab. 

Motherwell will start the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership season with a trip to face Hibernian.

The match at Easter Road will be played on Saturday, August 4 with a 3pm kick off.

The Steelmen’s first home match will then come a week later against Hamilton Academical at Fir Park.

All fixtures in the 2018/19 season are subject to change, depending on TV selections.

The Ladbrokes Premiership season will run until the weekend of 18/19 May, 2019. A winter break will mean no fixtures will be played on the weekends of 5 and 12 January.

Speaking as the Motherwell squad prepare to return for preparations for the 2018/19 campaign, manager Stephen Robinson provides an update and lookahead to what lies in wait.

Centre forward Danny Johnson is Motherwell FC’s third signing of the summer, ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

The 25-year-old arrives from Vanarama National League side Gateshead after three goal-laden years with the Tynesiders, netting 53 times in 85 starts. His contract with the club will run until the summer of 2020.

“I’m very excited to join the club,” Johnson, who will wear number 24, said on his arrival.

“It’s the next stage I’ve been working hard for. I feel I have progressed in the last few years. Motherwell, having reached two cup finals last season, is a club only going in one direction and I want to be part of that.”

Asked what he will bring to the team, Johnson added: “When I am asked that, people get bored of me saying ‘goals’. But I know the team create a lot of chances, so I firmly believe when I get the chance, I will put the ball in the back of the net.

“As soon as the manager rang, it all happened very quickly. I didn’t need to think hard about it. It sold itself. I knew I had to come. I wanted to come.”

The Middlesbrough-born player came through the youth ranks at his local side and neighbours Hartlepool, before a spell with Spaniards Real Murcia.

A prolific year with Guisborough Town, where he scored an astonishing 56 goals in a single campaign, attracted interest from several clubs. He eventually signed for then-Championship side Cardiff City.

A couple of loan spells with both Tranmere Rovers and Stevenage followed before his most recent destination back in the north east, where he was previously a teammate of current ‘Well forward Ryan Bowman at the International Stadium.

“We are delighted to add Danny to the team,” Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson said. “He will add to our options up top and give us another goal scoring threat.

“Danny has scored a lot of goals in the last few years and comes in from a level where we have signed a lot of players in recent times who have done very well for the club.”

Charles Dunne settled in to life at Fir Park with ease in his debut campaign with the Steelmen.

The Irishman has been a virtual ever-present for the Steelmen both as a left-sided central defender and, on occasion, at left back.

And now, with the 2018/19 campaign on the horizon, the 25-year-old is raring to get back in to action in the ‘Well back line.

“There isn’t much time to relax really,” the defender admitted. “It’s nice to get some down time and see family and friends, but I’ve made sure to keep on top of things and work hard so that I’m as prepared as possible for when we get back.”

The players return for pre-season training in just over a week, and just three weeks after travelling to Hampden for the Scottish Cup final.

With so much to build on from the 2017/18 season, Charles insists there is more to come from the current crop of players.

He said: “We’re all on the same boat. We’re desperate to kick on from where we left off just a few weeks ago and we’re also excited to properly meet and settle in with the new lads.

“The manager has encouraged us all to pick up our work rate ahead of getting back in to training so that we can hit the ground running and not fall behind in our preparations.”

The Premiership fixtures are announced on Friday and the Irishman is excited to see what awaits the club in the coming campaign.

He said: “We’ll all be waiting patiently to see what is to come on Friday. Once we see the fixtures we can start to focus on the campaign ahead.

“We’ve got the Bettered Cup before we get back in to the league, and we’re hungry to try and go one step further than last season.”

Motherwell FC can confirm the signing of Hartlepool United defender Liam Donnelly.

The 22-year-old Northern Ireland international centre back has signed an initial two-year contract, subject to the usual registration formalities, with the club paying an undisclosed fee for his services.

“As soon as I knew the interest from Motherwell, I was delighted,” Donnelly said.

“It’s a massive club. How well the club did last season was unbelievable and I want to kick on with the lads this year and hopefully improve on it.

“I’ve worked with the manager with Northern Ireland since I was quite young. So there were a lot of factors in why I’ve decided to come here.

“There’s a good bit of aggression involved in my play. But I like to play and have the ball. I defend properly when I need to defend but I can hopefully play a bit as well.”

Donnelly started his career with local side Dungannon Swifts, before earning a move to English side Fulham.

He captained the Cottagers to the 2013/14 FA Youth Cup final, where his side, which included current Celtic striker Moussa Dembélé, lost to Chelsea.

It was around the same time Liam made his full international debut, coming on as a late substitute against Chile in the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander to win his one and only cap.

Donnelly got his first taste of first team football in England with a brief loan spell with Crawley Town in 2015, before moving to Hartlepool United in the summer of 2016.

He spent two years with Pools, the first playing alongside current ‘Well stopper Trevor Carson, notching over 60 games and scoring on three occasions.

He has continued to play regularly for the Northern Ireland Under 21s, where he now has 20 caps and four goals to his name.

“Liam was a target of ours from when we started our summer recruitment, so we’re delighted to have landed him,” said manager Robinson.

“I’ve worked before with Liam at youth international level with Northern Ireland, so I’ve first hand experience of what we’re getting. He will fit in well here and further strenghten our central defensive options.”

Donnelly will wear shirt number 22 in the forthcoming campaign.

Allan Campbell played 82 minutes as Scotland lost 3-1 to England in the semi final of the 2018 Toulon Tournament.

Having defeated France and South Korea in the group stage, the young Scots advanced to the last four of the prestigious competition and landed a clash with the Auld Enemy.

Celtic’s Mikey Johnston gave Scotland the lead in the first half in France. But England stepped up a gear in the second, turning the game around and running out clear winners.

A fixture against Turkey in the third place playoff will round off Scotland’s campaign on Saturday.

Motherwell will play three public matches as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2018/19 campaign.

Stephen Robinson’s side will start with a trip to face Crusaders in Belfast on 30 June.

The team will travel to take part in the testimonial for Jordan Owens. The 28-year-old striker has been with the club for the last 10 years and is also their leading all-time goal scorer.

Kick off against the team taking part in this year’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers is at 1pm at the Seaview ground.

The team will then be back on their travels with a trip to face Darlington on Sunday, 8 July.

Ryan Bowman and Curtis Main will come up against their former side, who ply their trade in the National League. Kick off at Blackwell Meadows is at 1pm.

A final match with Dunfermline Athletic will then follow on Thursday, 12 July at East End Park with a 7.30pm kick off. Tickets will be available on the gate priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

A local game will also take place on 3 July but is likely to be played behind closed doors unless a neutral venue can be found. Confirmation will follow shortly.

We are then in competitive action at home to Edinburgh City on Tuesday, 17 July in the Betfred Cup group stage.

MOTHERWELL’S CONFIRMED PRE-SEASON GAMES

Saturday, 30 June: Crusaders (A), Seaview, Belfast. Kick off 1pm

Sunday, 8 July: Darlington (A), Blackwell Meadows. Kick off 2pm

Thursday, 12 July: Dunfermline Athletic (A), East End Park. Kick off 7.30pm.