Motherwell have announced their tenth summer signing, securing Swedish talent Jardell Kanga from Finnish side Ilves. The club also faces a key Premiership fixture against Celtic and a trip to St Mirren, where they hold a strong recent record.
The club confirmed the arrival of 20-year-old Jardell Kanga on a three-year contract, with an option for a further year. Motherwell Football Club reported the undisclosed fee move this week, bringing the attacking player from the Finnish top flight.
Kanga is a product of the IF Brommapojkarna academy in Sweden. He became their youngest-ever player at 15 and later helped the club achieve promotion. His performances earned him a move to Bayer Leverkusen and a place on the Guardian's 2022 list of top young talents born in 2005. At Ilves, he played 68 games, scoring 18 goals and providing 16 assists, and even captained the side on occasion.
Alfred Johansson, the Motherwell manager, stated he had followed Kanga for years. "Jardell is a player I have followed closely for a number of years," Johansson said. "I have admired his ability for years, and I'm so pleased I'll finally be able to work with him."
Kanga expressed his eagerness to get started with his new team. "I'm glad this deal is complete and I can get started," the Swedish youth international said. "I know the manager, and this move makes a lot of sense for me."
Motherwell sit fourth in the Premiership with four points from two games, following a win and a draw. They have scored two goals and conceded one, leaving them with a positive goal difference. Their next league match is a major test against leaders Celtic, who they trail by two points in the early table.
A licensable image was published this week from the last meeting between the sides at Fir Park in May. The club's current injury situation includes Callum Hendry, Jordan McGhee, and Paul McGinn, details of which are on the injuries page.
St Mirren are winless in their last eight Scottish Premiership games against Motherwell. The Steelmen have won the past two league meetings and last won three in a row against the Buddies back in April 2015.
St Mirren have started the 2026-27 season with two wins but have not won three consecutive top-flight matches since December 2024. Motherwell, meanwhile, have won their last two away league games, including a 2-1 victory at Hibernian this season. Their last run of three straight away wins was in April 2024. St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips has scored in three successive Premiership appearances.
Motherwell will look to integrate Kanga quickly as they manage a squad dealing with several absences. The focus now shifts to maintaining their solid early-season form, with a full list of upcoming matches available on the fixtures page.
