Former Stoke City and Hamilton star pens deal at Motherwell

Former Hamilton Accies and Stoke City midfielder Tom Sparrow has joined Motherwell on a two-year deal, the club has announced.

The Welshman, who spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Accies, is back in Scotland on a long-term deal, which the club have the option to extend by another year.

It comes just hours after ex-Motherwell man Barry Maguire joined Hamilton Accies.

Sparrow, the Steelmen's second summer signing, said: “It’s great to be here and get the move done early in the window. Being up here this early means I can get a full pre-season under my belt and can get to know everyone.

“I’m really excited at the prospect of next season having spoken with the manager. He’s full of optimism and it’s hard not to get excited for what he’s trying to build here.”

Sparrow has played only a few games for the Stoke first team, amid various loan spells in England's lower leagues at Chester and Telford, and has called time on a nine-year stint with Potters.

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell is thrilled to have him on board and said: "We’ve been so busy trying to bring in the right players this summer. The planning goes back months so it’s rewarding to get another player signed up for the new season.

“Tom is someone we have been tracking and with both club and player keen on the deal, we are able to get it confirmed early in the summer.

“It’ll be good for Tom to get into pre-season and build up that match sharpness. He has had a taste of Scottish football and Stoke thought highly of him.”

Sparrow's arrival follows on from ex-Crystal Palace defender Kofi Balmer arriving yesterday.

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