It was mixed emotions for Motherwell fans last night as the transfer window slammed shut with an unexpected departure and arrival.
Most of the talk over the last days, and indeed weeks, has revolved around the future of winger Marvin Johnson who handed in a transfer request at the start of the week.
Despite the Fir Park club sticking to their guns and holding out for a top fee, an agreement was eventually made yesterday with League One side Oxford United that included a future sell-on fee to see the Well wing king travel south.
“It has been hard because Motherwell fans have been great with me," said Johnson, "but I’m very pleased to be joining a club like Oxford which is obviously on the up and ambitious.
"The Manager has a great reputation for working with players and helping them develop their game and I can’t wait to join training and be involved.”
There was one arrival before the midnight deadline as wel in the form of West Ham starlet Luka Belic.
The 20-year-old winger will provide competition that will have been lost by Johnson's departure, and manager Mark McGhee was delighted to get him on board.
He said: : “Luka is a wiry forward player who can play through the middle or on the flanks.
“He works extremely hard, particularly without the ball and knows where the net is. He’ll give us competition in that area."
On top of that, first-team fringe player Luke Watt departed for Stranraer until January.
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