Motherwell have agreed a deal to sell New Zealand international Elijah Just to Championship side Swansea City for a club-record fee, surpassing the previous record set by Lennon Miller's transfer earlier this summer. The midfielder, who had been linked with Celtic during the current transfer window, will now head to south Wales after the Steelmen thrashed out terms with the Swans.
The transfer represents a significant financial windfall for Motherwell, with the fee understood to be in the region of £8 million, comfortably exceeding the £7 million they received from Liverpool for Lennon Miller in June. Just, 25, has been one of the standout performers in the Scottish Premiership since joining Motherwell from Danish side Helsingør in 2023, and his form attracted interest from several clubs across the UK and Europe.
Swansea City had been tracking Just for several weeks, with manager Luke Williams keen to add creativity and energy to his midfield options ahead of the new Championship season. The New Zealand international, who featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, is expected to provide a dynamic presence in the centre of the park, capable of driving forward with the ball and contributing goals from midfield.
Just's agent had previously confirmed discussions with Celtic, but the Glasgow giants ultimately opted not to pursue a deal, allowing Swansea to move ahead with their pursuit. The player's representatives confirmed that while there was interest from several clubs, Swansea's project and the opportunity to play regular football in the Championship proved decisive in the player's decision.
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell will now have a substantial transfer budget to reinvest in his squad before the close of the window, with the club already identifying several targets to bolster their ranks. The Steelmen have already made several signings this summer, including the arrivals of defenders and midfielders, but the departure of Just leaves a significant gap in the centre of the park that will need to be addressed.
The transfer is also a landmark moment for New Zealand football, with Just becoming one of the most expensive exports from the country's footballing talent pool. The All Whites international has been a key figure for his national team, earning over 30 caps and scoring several important goals, including in World Cup qualifying matches.
Just is expected to travel to Swansea in the coming days to complete his medical and finalise personal terms before being officially unveiled as a Swansea City player. The move will see him link up with a squad that narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs last season, with Williams aiming to mount a stronger promotion challenge this time around.
The deal also highlights the growing financial power of Championship clubs, with Swansea willing to invest heavily in a player who has proven his quality in the Scottish Premiership. Just's performances for Motherwell have drawn comparisons with some of the league's best midfielders, and his ability to adapt to the English second tier will be closely watched by scouts and fans alike.
Motherwell fans have expressed mixed emotions about the departure, with many acknowledging the financial necessity of selling their star asset while also lamenting the loss of a player who had become a fan favourite. The club's record transfer fee will provide a significant boost to their finances, but replacing Just's influence on the pitch will be a challenging task for Kettlewell and his recruitment team.
The transfer window remains open until the end of August, and Motherwell are expected to move quickly to reinvest the funds from Just's sale. The club has already been linked with several midfield targets, including players from the English lower leagues and the Scottish Championship, as they look to maintain their competitive edge in the Premiership.
