Doing Well: Steelmen sign Mccormack
Motherwell have given themselves a January boost with the loan signing of Ross Mccormack.
The Scotland striker returns to Fir Park 11 years after leaving Lanarkshire, with Aston Villa loaning him out until the end of the season.
His return will bolster a squad that has struggled to match their achievements of last season in the Scottish Premiership, and saw striker Ryan Bowman depart to Exeter earlier in the week.
“I’m delighted,” said Mccormack, who has accrued transfer fees of more than £25 million during his career.
The 32-year-old has been a prolific scorer wherever he has played, though his two years at Villa, following a £12m move from Fulham, have put the brakes on a career that was in its prime.
Loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Melbourne City followed, and the striker admitted: “I’ve had a frustrating few years. I’m desperate to just get back on the pitch again and do what I do.”
Well boss Stephen Robinson revealed Mccormack will not be immediately available due a knee concern, but added: “We are delighted to get a player of Ross’s quality.
“He has earned more than £25m in transfer fees, is the all-time top scorer in the EFL Championship with a record better than one goal in three games, and is experienced at international level. “But what has impressed me most is his desire to be here.
“He has a slight knee injury, but we hope to have him involved come the games at the end of January, or beginning of February.”
Meanwhile Efe Ambrose is in talks with Turkish side Akhisarspor after walking out on Hibs.
The Nigerian invoked a contract clause to allow him to leave Easter Road after two years in Edinburgh.
He’s been linked with a move to English football, with Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle both reportedly interested.
But big-spending Turkish outfit Akhisarspor have become the first club to make a firm bid and offer the former Celtic defender a contract.
Akhisarspor were in the Europa League this season after winning the Turkish Cup last term, but managed just one point from their six group section games and were thrashed 6-0 by Sevilla.
They are struggling badly in the Turkish Super League and are in 15th position out of 18 teams.
Manager Cihat Arslan has been given the go-ahead to bring in defensive recruits this month and 30-year-old Ambrose could be first in the door.