Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell delighted to sign Liam Gordon on two-year deal

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell is delighted to have signed the captain of a Premiership rival after Liam Gordon moved to Fir Park on a two-year contract following his departure from St Johnstone.

The 28-year-old defender was part of Saints’ 2021 cup double-winning side and made more than 200 appearances for his hometown team after joining from Hearts in 2015.

Gordon’s deal at McDiarmid Park expired this summer and it was announced on Monday that Motherwell have added him to their squad on a deal until 2026.

“We have been working to bring Liam to the club for a number of weeks now,” Kettlewell told Motherwell’s official website.

“I’ve spoken with people who know Liam really well and they all speak highly of him as a person, as well as a player.

“He is a leader and someone who gives everything for the badge. It’s that sort of mentality that we need in our team.

“We’ve brought in a player who was skipper at a team in our league last season, I think that really shows how good a move this is.”

Gordon has now followed Zach Robinson, Ross Callachan, Johnny Koutroumbis, Tom Sparrow and Kofi Balmer in checking in at Fir Park this summer.

“It’s great to be here,” Gordon said. “I know a lot of the boys and have played against them so many times. I just know this is a good club and a good place to be.

“There have been a lot of conversations between the manager and myself. The project and ambition is clear to see and I’m glad I can be a part of that.”

St Johnstone paid tribute to their departing captain with a statement on their club’s website.

“It is important we place on record our thanks to Liam,” the statement read.

“The local lad, who was offered a new deal, first joined us back in 2015. A boyhood Saints fan, it was a dream come true for him.

“Liam made 201 appearances for us in total, scoring five goals along the way. We thank him for everything he has done for St Johnstone Football Club and wish him well for the future.”