Three signings for Motherwell

Motherwell have made their first three summer signings.

Central defender Ben Heneghan joins from Chester, right-back Richard Tait has arrived from Grimsby, and 6ft 3in striker Jacob Blyth has moved from Barclays Premier League champions Leicester.

The trio signed on hours after captain Keith Lasley extended his contract by one season.

Heneghan made 92 appearances for National League side Chester and played for England C, the representative team for non-league players.

The 22-year-old played for both Everton and Stoke youth set-ups and Motherwell say they beat English Championship clubs to secure him on a two-year deal.

Galashiels-born Tait turned down a contract offer to stay at Grimsby after helping them return to the Football League. The 26-year-old began his career with Nottingham Forest before playing for Tamworth and Cambridge.

Blyth did not make a first-team appearance for Leicester but scored goals in loan spells with Burton, Northampton, Cambridge and Blackpool. The 23-year-old has signed on for two seasons with the option of a third.

Manager Mark McGhee told the club's official website:

"We are delighted to have secured all three lads as, in each situation, we had to battle hard against clubs on both sides of the border.

"All three have been identified via our scouting network, headed up by Martin Foyle, and we've really done our homework on them all.

"Ben will come in and battle it out with Kieran Kennedy, Louis Laing and Stephen McManus for a centre-back position and Richard is an experienced and talented right back who had a really strong season at Grimsby.

"Jacob gives us something we've not really got in attack, which is a big, powerful, strong centre-forward who will run in behind.

"We've got other areas of the park we're looking to strengthen, and will continue trying to nail our top targets.''