MOTHERWELL have netted over £200,000 after defender Ben Hall signed for Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Northern Irish defender was a sensation for Mark McGhee's team last season. After first being thrust into the first-team against Dundee in December, the 19-year-old went on to make a further 18 appearances as well as help the Lanarkshire club win the Scottish Youth Cup for the first time in their history.
Motherwell have been in negotiations with Hall, who was brought in from Dungannon Swifts in 2013, from when he first burst into the first-team with a view of securing one of their prized assets on a long-term deal.
However, the lure of the English championship and package available was too much to turn down for the centre-half who is understood to be seen as a potential replacement for released Scotland international Gordon Greer.
Despite being able to transfer as a free agent, Brighton will have to pay around £215,000 in a development fee to Motherwell, offering some comfort to the Premiership club who are hopeful of announcing Hall's replacement potentially this week.
"We have been in discussions with Ben for the best part of five months, however, we have always been conscious that this may happen and as such, have been working on a replacement, which we hope to announce soon," said McGhee.
“Ben has done well, and we wish him well in the English Championship, but his departure provides an opportunity for someone else to hopefully make a similar sort of impact.”
Meanwhile, Motherwell are hopeful an agreement can be reached with out of contract trio Keith Lasley, Scott McDonald and Stevie Hammell.
Reduced terms were offered to some whose deals expired last month, but HeraldSport understands both parties are confident a deal can be struck to secure the experienced three players for next season.
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