Motherwell’s new goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has arrived at Fir Park determined to match the success of Elijah Just after the New Zealander’s record transfer to Swansea City.

What convinced Paulsen to join Motherwell?

Paulsen, who joined on loan from AFC Bournemouth, revealed that Just’s glowing endorsement of the club sealed his decision. The Kiwi international said: “Yes, he had a lot of great things to say about the club. It's a community club as well. Everybody's around here. Everybody's hard working.”

Just’s impact at Motherwell was immediate: he was shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award and then scored three goals in three World Cup games for New Zealand. Paulsen admitted: “I've been with Eli with a couple of national team now and a couple of international windows so it was just great to see him perform there on the World Cup and on the world stage as well.”

Motherwell sit fourth in the Premiership with 54 points from 33 games last season, 16 points behind Hearts, and have started the new campaign with a 2-0 Conference League win over Havnar Boltfelag.

How did Paulsen perform on his Fir Park debut?

The 24-year-old kept a clean sheet as Motherwell opened their Conference League campaign with a comfortable victory. He made key saves to preserve the win before Martin Moormann and Lukas Fadinger found the net.

Paulsen said: “Yeah, it was really enjoyable to be fair. Credit to the fans coming in as well. I think there were 7,000 here, so it was a great game.”

The Steelmen now travel to the Faroe Islands with a first-leg lead, knowing the second leg will be tough on artificial turf.

What’s next for Motherwell?

Paulsen is focused on steady progress, not rushing ahead. “I think it just starts from taking it step by step and kind of focussing one game at a time as well and not trying to look too far ahead,” he said.

Motherwell could face HJK in the next round after the Finns beat Coleraine 5-0 in the first leg. Paulsen is aiming for the group stages: “Yeah, I think shows as well it'll be a great stepping stone for the club as well to really get into the Conference league group stages as well.”

With their next Premiership fixture against Hearts on 24 October 2026, the Steelmen are building momentum after a recent run of two wins and a draw.

League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 4th in Premiership, 54 pts, 14W-12D-7L from 33 games, recent form WLDLW.