Motherwell have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Dean Brill on a one-year deal.

The former Inverness stopper joined up with his new teammates for the first day of pre-season training yesterday, and will now battle it out with Craig Samson for the number one jersey at Fir Park.

Brill said: “It’s good to get it done, especially on the first day of pre-season. I’ve been training with the boys this morning and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.

“I’ve been given a great opportunity after missing a year of football, and I’m looking to get back to where I was before the injury. I’m grateful to be here and looking forward to fighting for that number one spot.”

Brill dislocated his knee last April after a challenge with Celtic’s Gary McKay-Steven, but he feels he is now ready to get back to somewhere near his best form.

“I’ve been working hard in the gym and it’s been a long comeback, but I feel that I’m now stronger and I have a real hunger to get back to where I was and hopefully beyond that,” he said.

“It’s nice now that the reins are off and the injury is clear and I’m going to get a good pre-season under my belt.

“It’s great to get an opportunity at a club like this.”

The opportunity to work with Motherwell manager Mark McGhee was one of the factors that persuaded Brill his immediate future lay in Lanarkshire.

“He’s a character from what I’ve been told and from what I’ve seen this morning, and he’s really experienced,” he said.

“He’s been involved with the Scotland set-up as well which can only help, so I’m looking forward to tapping into that and I’m looking forward to having a great season under him.”

Meanwhile, experienced left-back Stevie Hammell was last night believed to be on the brink of signing a new one-year deal to remain at Fir Park for another season.