MOTHERWELL have completed their second signing of the summer after bringing in defender Liam Donnelly from Hartlepool.

The centre-back has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Fir Park after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee. 

Donnelly immediately targeted an improvement on the club's performance in 2017/18, when they came runners-up in the Betfred Cup and Scottish Cup as well as securing a seventh-place Premiership finish. 

“As soon as I knew the interest from Motherwell, I was delighted,” he said.

“It’s a massive club. How well the club did last season was unbelievable and I want to kick on with the lads this year and hopefully improve on it.

“I’ve worked with the manager with Northern Ireland since I was quite young. So there were a lot of factors in why I’ve decided to come here.

“There’s a good bit of aggression involved in my play. But I like to play and have the ball. I defend properly when I need to defend but I can hopefully play a bit as well.”

The 22-year-old former Fulham player scored three goals in 27 National League appearances last season.

Donnelly, who played alongside 'Well goalkeeper Trevor Carson for Hartlepool during the 2016/17 campaign, has earned 18 caps for Northern Ireland's Under-21s and manager Stephen Robinson revealed that it was through his involvement in the national set-up that he knew the defender was up to the task. 

“Liam was a target of ours from when we started our summer recruitment, so we’re delighted to have landed him,” said Robinson.

“I’ve worked before with Liam at youth international level with Northern Ireland, so I’ve first hand experience of what we’re getting. He will fit in well here and further strenghten our central defensive options.”