Motherwell have confirmed the return of defender Stephen Welsh after securing a fresh loan agreement with Celtic…
The Coatbridge-born centre-back had previously spent the opening months of the season at Fir Park under what was initially intended to be a full-year deal.
During that time, he played a role in helping the Steelmen climb to fourth place in the Premiership and remain in the conversation for a potential title push. Jens Berthel Askou’s men are only five behind the Ibrox club and Celtic and play Danny Rohl’s side in Lanarkshire next week.
The Scottish champions opted to activate a recall clause on 12 January following the reappointment of Martin O’Neill, who replaced Wilfried Nancy after the Frenchman’s dismissal earlier in the month.
Despite that brief return to his parent club, Welsh has now rejoined Motherwell to continue his loan spell for the remainder of the campaign.
Speaking via Motherwell’s official website, Askou said: “We welcome back Stephen with open arms, knowing that he has unfinished business to attend to here with us.”
“The dialogue with Celtic has been good and transparent all the way through, and we are absolutely delighted that we found a solution that sends him back to Fir Park to continue his development with us.”
Welsh will be ineligible for Motherwell’s Scottish Cup fifth-round tie away to Aberdeen this weekend due to having already featured for Celtic against Auchinleck Talbot earlier in the competition, though he has expressed his happiness at returning to Fir Park.
He said: “It’s not been an ideal situation, but I’m so pleased there’s been a resolution.”
“I just want to play football, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time here for the first half of the season. The staff, the players and the fans are all so aligned, and as a player, it’s the perfect environment to play your football in.”
“I’ll need to work to get myself back into the team now. The boys have done unbelievably well since I’ve been gone, which has been great. I’m buzzing to get back here, and I can’t wait to pick up where I left off.”
Welsh was allowed to leave Celtic following the confirmation that Brentford defender Benjamin Arthur has joined O’Neill’s side until the end of the season.
Stephen Welsh has joined Motherwell on loan until the end of the season.
Best of luck, Stephen.#CelticFC🍀 https://t.co/dioFxqgXgQ pic.twitter.com/22V6Wvoiob
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 2, 2026
Conor Spence
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