news-engine

Take a closer look at our summer acquisitions. SAOIRSE COYLE-MORROW POSITION: Midfielder PARENT CLUB: Rangers Highly-rated midfielder, Saoirse Coyle-Morrow has joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Rangers. The exciting 16-year-old talent broke through the ranks at Celtic before crossing the Glasgow divide at only 12-years-old. She rose sharply through the ranks at Ibrox before making her senior debut at 15-years-old in the Sky Sports Cup Quarter-Final victory over Partick Thistle. Her first senior goal soon followed, with Coyle-Morrow bending home an unstoppable free-kick to secure a dominant 8-0 victory over Renfrew Ladies in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. “I’m really excited to be here at Motherwell,” Coyle-Morrow said. “I was looking for an opportunity to play regular first-team action and gain that experience in the top-flight. “Motherwell seemed like the perfect fit for me, and I’m looking forward to getting started. ” EVA THOMSON POSITION: Forward FORMER CLUB: Aberdeen Forward Eva Thomson has penned a permanent deal after departing Aberdeen this summer. A product of the Westdyke Ladies youth system, Thomson climbed the ranks before signing for Aberdeen in July 2019 – becoming one of the first five players to be signed under Semi-professional terms in May 2022. In her first full campaign with the Dons, Thomson netted 10-times across 18-appearances before netting another six the following year, as Thomson supported Aberdeen to double promotions. Despite her youthful age of 22, Thomson has earned a wealth of professional experience – earning 190-appearances for Aberdeen, scoring 38 in all competitions. Her standout performances in the Granite City merited a two-year contract extension, which expired this summer – enabling the forward to commit to ML1. “I’m delighted to join the club,” Thomson said. “After speaking with Iain, he really sold me on the club, and where they want to go in the future. “It was something, I simply wanted to be a part of. I can’t wait to get started.” Thomson has also featured on the international stage, earning caps for Scotland at the under-16 age group. Thomson continued to impress in the previous campaign, being awarded the April SPWPL Goal of the Month, whilst also being nominated for the SPWPL Player of the Month. MIA McARTHUR POSITION: Midfielder PARENT CLUB: Rangers Midfielder Mia McArthur has completed a loan deal from Rangers until the end of the season, subject to SFA clearance. The youngster will rejoin the women of steel after impressing on-loan last campaign. McArthur cemented her place alongside Lucy Ronald in the Motherwell midfield last season, gaining a wealth of senior experience after regularly featuring for Scottish Power Women’s Premier League 2 side, Gartcairn across the first-half of the 2025/26 campaign. “I’m really pleased to be back here at Motherwell,” McArthur said. “The squad welcomed me with open arms last season, and there was a really great feeling in the dressing room. Iain gave me my senior debut in the top-flight, and I felt that it was still the perfect environment for me to develop as a player. “I can’t wait to meet up with the squad again.” The 19-year-old’s performances on the domestic footballing scene have continued to catch the eye internationally, with McArthur regularly selected to represent the Scotland under-19 squad. OLIVIA McSTAY POSITION: Defender FORMER CLUB: Hamilton Accies Exciting young defender, Olivia McStay has signed a permanent deal following her recent departure from Hamilton Accies. McStay, 18, broke through the ranks at Celtic, and has been one of our most promising talents in Scotland. Despite an opportunity to continue with Celtic, McStay opted to receive senior first-team football as soon as possible, signing permanently for Hamilton Accies last year after spending the previous season on-loan. The former Celtic academy prodigy is a third-generation footballing talent – following in the footsteps of her dad, Jock McStay who broke through the youth ranks at Fir Park before making his senior debut with the club in the 1980s. Francis McStay being another notable family member with deep ties to ML1. Francis is amongst Motherwell’s top-15 record appearance holders, making 214-appearances for the club across eight years spanning the World War 1 Period. The most recognised family member being Celtic’s third all-time appearance holder and Scotland legend, Paul McStay, but regardless of her illustrious family history, Olivia has been forging her own path in the game. “I’m really excited to be here,” McStay said. “The squad have really made me feel welcome, and I can’t wait to get started. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend.” McStay will be Head Coach, Iain Robinson’s fourth addition of the summer transfer window. SOPHIE RUTHERFORD POSITION: Midfielder PARENT CLUB: Rangers Midfielder Sophie Rutherford has completed a season-long loan deal from Rangers. The young midfielder joins fellow Rangers loanees Mia McArthur and Saoirse Coyle-Morrow in ML1 this summer. Rutherford has already gained a vast amount of first-team experience, featuring in successive loan spells for Queens Park in SWPL2. “I’m really excited to be here at Motherwell,” Rutherford said. “I obviously know Mia [McArthur] really well from Rangers, and she spoke so highly of the club, and were they were wanting to go this season. “I just knew then that I wanted to be a part of it.” MORGAN ANDERSON POSITION: Forward FORMER CLUB: Gartcairn Forward Morgan Anderson has joined the club on a permanent basis from Gartcairn. A product of Drumchapel United, Anderson soon joined partner club Partick Thistle – becoming the first player to make such a move through the pathway to first-team football at the club. The then 17-year-old became a consistent presence within the ranks of the Partick Thistle squad – impressing former Head Coach, Brian Graham. “I’m really pleased to have signed with the club,” Anderson said. “Motherwell have got a strong reputation of playing and developing younger players, and giving them opportunities of experience in the Scottish top-flight. “I’m ready to battle for a place in a really talented squad, and I can’t wait to get started.” Anderson has since developed in Lanarkshire with Gartcairn, impressing in the Scottish Women’s Premier League 2. LUCY SINCLAIR POSITION: Midfielder FORMER CLUB: Partick Thistle Midfielder Lucy Sinclair has returned to the club on a permanent basis following her recent departure from Partick Thistle. The 23-year-old returns to ML1 after previously departing the club in 2021 to pursue consistent first-team opportunities. After safely guiding local rivals, Hamilton Accies past the SWPL relegation-playoff’s, Sinclair soon made her mark in Glasgow – joining Partick Thistle in July 2023. Sinclair’s maiden campaign in Maryhill predictably ended in success, with the youngster named the Partick Thistle Young Player of the Year. The midfielder soon repeated the feat the following season, reclaiming the award after another impressive campaign in red and yellow. Her immense contributions were unfortunately cut short the following year, with an ACL injury against Dundee united ruling Sinclair out of action for the foreseeable future. “I’m really excited to be back at the club,” Sinclair said. “I feel like a completely different player and person from the one that last walked through the doors at Fir Park. “Last season was incredibly tough for myself, coping with a long-term injury, but I’m incredibly excited to be back on the pitch, and I can’t wait to get started.” Refreshed, recovered and ready to reclaim lost time, Sinclair returns to Lanarkshire, as Head Coach Iain Robinson’s fifth summer acquisition. ELLIE MacDONALD POSITION: Midfielder FORMER CLUB: Queen’s Park Midfielder Ellie MacDonald has joined the club on a permanent basis following her recent departure from Queens Park this summer. The 2025-26 Queens Park Coaches Player of the Year will compete in the Scottish top-flight after supporting the Spiders to the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League Playoff Final last season. “I’m really excited by the opportunity to play for Motherwell,” MacDonald said. “After working with Iain previously, and understanding his style of play, I knew it was an opportunity that I simply couldn’t say no to. “I can’t wait to meet up with everyone and get started.” The 24-year-old became a standout performer in Glasgow last season, and has returned to play for Iain Robinson after previously working together whilst at Queens Park. LEAH SIDEY POSITION: Midfielder FORMER CLUB: Boroughmuir Thistle Midfielder Leah Sidey has completed a permanent move to the club following her recent departure from Scottish Power Women’s Premier League 2 side, Boroughmuir Thistle. Sidey’s maiden campaign in the Scottish capital predictably ended in success, with the midfielder named the 2025-26 Boroughmuir Thistle Player of the Year and the Supporters Player of the Year following her previous departure from St. Johnstone. The former Dundee United youngster broke through into the senior ranks at a young age, signing a part-time professional contract in the City of Discovery. “I’m really pleased to get this over the line,” Sidey said. “I absolutely loved my time at Boroughmuir Thistle, and was able to really get the best out of myself, but I felt that I needed to experience a new challenge. “After speaking with Iain, and training alongside the team in pre-season, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the squad. I’m looking forward to getting started.” A midfielder by trade, Sidey is capable of operating in a variety of roles, but favours the left flank – earning over 50-appearances for the Tangerines in the process. Sidey has racked up a considerable amount of senior first-team experience, featuring for United, St. Johnstone, Spartans and Boroughmuir Thistle. JUSTINE STRAIN POSITION: Forward FORMER CLUB: Livingston Striker Justine Strain has secured a permanent move to Motherwell following her recent departure from Scottish Power Women’s Premier League 2 side Livingston. A fundamental component in the Lions frontline, Strain became a shining light in amidst a somewhat disappointing campaign for the SPWPL 2 team. Strain became the club’s top-goalscorer, whilst simultaneously batting her way to the summit of the SPWPL2 Goalscoring charts – earning the golden boot with 18-goals. “I’m really excited to be a Motherwell player,” Strain said. “Last season was a real high for myself personally, and I felt ready to take that next step in my career, and Motherwell felt like the perfect place for me to do that. “After conversations with Iain, he expressed a real eagerness to bring me to the club, so it was very simple for me to make the decision to sign for Motherwell.” Following an emphatic campaign for the 17-year-old, the SPWPL2 top-goalscorer soon earned her place in the Team of the Year – one of only four players from the second-division to make the squad.