Motherwell have announced that striker Scott McDonald has signed for the club for the third time, agreeing a one-year deal with the option of a second.

The 31-year-old returned to Fir Park in February on a deal to the end of the season, and he played a pivotal role in helping the Steelmen avoid relegation.

He told MFC TV: “I’m delighted it’s all been sorted as there had been a bit of speculation. It’s great to have joined and I can’t wait until the start of the season.

“I have nothing but good memories from my time at Motherwell and the warmth from this football club and what it gives me, and vice-versa, was a big attraction for me coming back.

“It’s a family orientated club and my family is ever growing, with a new arrival on the way, so a lot of that was taken into consideration. and where we would be happy as a family as well as where I would be happiest playing my football.

“I really enjoyed the end of last season and am hoping for some success here this season.”

'Well manager Ian Baraclough was over the moon to add McDonald to Lionel Ainsworth and Louis Laing to the list of players who have again committed to the club for this campaign, and with a further five new faces on board, he feels that his Fir Park rebuilding job may be complete with a couple of further additions.

“We’ve been talking to Scott for most of the summer and we’re obviously delighted he will form part of our squad for at least one more year," he said.

“He carries a threat, that was proven in the last few months of the season, but we also think he can help assist in the development of other strikers at the club too.

“Whilst Lee Erwin finished the 2014/15 season fantastically well, it would be remiss to not acknowledge the role Scott played there and that was very much in our mind when setting our strategy for this summer.

“He’s also the type of player who will demand from himself and others around him and that’s something I see as a huge benefit. The squad in general is really taking shape now albeit we’re still in the market for both a goalkeeper and a centre midfielder, which we hope to tie up shortly.”