Well secure first summer signing as Gillespie joins

Motherwell have kicked off their summer recruitment drive with the signing of former Walsall goalkeeper Mark Gillespie on a two-year deal.

The 26-year-old, pictured, has previously been on the books at Newcastle and Carlisle and arrives at Fir Park having made 25 appearances last term for the Skybet League One Saddlers. He will now look to oust Trevor Carson from Stephen Robinson’s starting line-up.

“I’m excited to get going here,” he told the Well website. “I spoke to Stephen Robinson, Martin Foyle and Craig Hinchliffe and just got a good feeling about it. They made me feel wanted to be part of the project they’ve got going on here.

“I’m here to work hard, improve and play in good games in a good league. The main feedback I’ve got coming here is there is a good spirit in the dressing room, so I want to get involved, be part of the squad and look to push on from what they achieved last season.”

Gillespie began his career in Newcastle’s youth ranks before joining Carlisle, where he made 180 appearances. He shot to prominence with his performance in a League Cup game against Liverpool in 2015, keeping a star-studded Reds side at bay all the way to a penalty shoot-out, where he saved efforts by Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana.

“We are delighted to have landed Mark,” said Motherwell boss Robinson. “He has played a lot of games at a good level in England, so comes here with much experience and will provide excellent competition in goal.”