Motherwell's Miller completes £4.75m Udinese move

Lennon Miller left Glasgow Airport on Monday with father Lee and their family

Udinese say they have signed "one of the brightest young talents in European football" after securing a deal to sign Scotland midfielder Lennon Miller from Motherwell.

The 18-year-old has moved to the Italian top-flight club in a reported £4.75m switch having been given permission to travel to Udine on Monday.

Miller, who the Serie A side describe as "a modern midfielder, capable of combining technique, vision, and character", has signed a five-year contract.

Motherwell reportedly rejected bids for the 18-year-old from both Udinese and Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise in January.

But the Italian team's persistence has paid off and they have made what they call "a key acquisition for both the present and the future".

Motherwell say the fee received is a club record which "substantially surpasses" the £3.25m mark set when David Turnbull joined Celtic in 2020 and contains "various contingent fees including a sell-on".

Miller, the son of former Aberdeen and Falkirk striker Lee Miller, has already made 76 senior appearances.

He was a near ever-present last season as Motherwell finished eighth in the Scottish Premiership, scoring four goals in 41 games and earning his first two Scotland caps.

What did Miller say?

Miller told Motherwell's website: "Motherwell is all I've ever known. It's been my home since I was a young boy and I've achieved my dream of playing in the first-team, playing in the big stadiums and wearing the armband.

"My thanks goes to all the supporters for taking me in. For all the coaches I've worked under and who have helped me improve as a player and as a man, thank you. I simply wouldn't be here without their guidance and support.

"To all the players who I've played alongside with, and for all the kind words they've said about me, thank you. My team-mates have helped me through everything and allowed me to play with freedom.

"I want to also express my appreciation to all the staff behind the scenes at the club. Some are still there, some have moved on, but they all work so hard to keep the place going.

"This is a new chapter in my life and I move on filled with excitement. I may not be at Fir Park to cheer on the boys, but I'll be watching and following from afar. The club has a big place in my heart and I will always be grateful."

How has the saga unfolded?

Miller has yet to play this season, with Motherwell saying previously he was carrying an injury for four weeks.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou said on Saturday that Miller had been left out of their goalless draw with St Mirren because of "things going on in the background".

Asked about Miller's absence on Saturday, Askou said: "Yes, it was a final call with everything taken into consideration.

"It's not a secret that there are things going on in the background. We know he's been out for four weeks.

"How much risk are you willing to take on a player like him in that situation? The decision was that we kept him out of it."

What are the experts saying?

BBC Scotland pundit Ian McCall thinks Motherwell "have acted really well" in dealing with the transfer and thinks it will not be long before Miller moves on to an even bigger club.

"Five-year contract - I think he will see maybe three of that and then I think he'll be offski," the former Rangers winger said on Sportsound. "He'll still only be 21."

Former Scotland striker Steven Thompson has no doubt Miller has the ability to be a success in Italy.

"But the thing that re-enforces it for me is his level-headedness and his maturity to deal with the situation," he said.

"It's brilliant for him and I'm really excited to see how he does and how he progresses. It's brilliant for Scottish football and for him and his family.

"For Motherwell to get a big fee like that through the door is absolutely brilliant for them, so everyone's a winner in this situation and, if he fulfills his potential, which I hope he does, this will just be the first club in an amazing journey.

"He's so incredibly young and has the whole world in front of him."