Celtic's Welsh joins Motherwell on loan

Motherwell have signed "comfortable and reliable" centre-half Stephen Welsh on a season-long loan from Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic.

The 25-year-old has played 68 games for Celtic since coming through the Scottish champions' youth system but has not featured this season for Brendan Rodgers' side.

He spent the second half of last season on loan to Mechelen as they finished eighth in the Belgian Pro League, playing 17 games, starting all but two of them.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou had already signed 10 players this summer and told his club website Welsh would be "our final addition" of the transfer window.

"Stephen joins us following a successful loan spell with Belgian top-flight side KV Mechelen, where he gained valuable experience at a very competitive level," he said.

"Being comfortable and composed in possession, while also confident and reliable when defending big areas, Stephen possesses the traits we are looking for in a modern centre-back."

Welsh is looking forward "to this next chapter" of his career.

"I have substantial experience in this division and feel I can really add to the project here," he said. "The squad have made a great start to the season and the mood is positive."