Motherwell: Paul Lawson signs from Ross County as seven exit

Motherwell have signed Ross County midfielder Paul Lawson and announced the departure of seven players.

It had already been announced that goalkeeper Darren Randolph had , while midfielder Nicky Law would be departing.

But Motherwell say defenders Steven Saunders, Steven Hetherington and Nicky Devlin, plus wingers Omar Daley and Josh Watt, will also exit.

Well hope that five out-of-contract players will accept new deals.

Scotland forward James McFadden, top scorer Michael Higdon, winger Chris Humphrey and defenders Tom Hateley and Fraser Kerr "have been/will be offered extended terms with the club", said a website statement.

However, two under-20 squad players - midfielder Adam Asghar and defender Dominic Green - will not be having their contracts renewed.

Meanwhile, striker Kallum Higginbotham will return to Huddersfield Town at the end of his loan spell at Fir Park.

Motherwell have not yet announced the length of Lawson's contract, but the 29-year-old midfielder spoke to the club website after completing a medical.

"There's a lot of uncertainty in the game right now, so I am pleased to get something sorted out early doors," said Lawson, who started his career with Celtic and had loan spells from there with St Johnstone and St Mirren.

During his six years at Victoria Park, the Aberdeen-born former Scotland Under-21 international helped the Dingwall club rise from the Second Division to the Scottish Premier League.

County finished fifth in the table this season - their first ever in Scotland's top flight.

"It was a big collective effort up there," added Lawson, who was delighted to be joining Stuart McCall's side.

"But, personally, I have been pleased with my performances and, luckily enough, the manager spotted that and came in to sign me."

Saunders, who came through Well's youth ranks to win a Scotland cap in 2010, has missed most of the last two seasons through injury and the 22-year-old made only one appearance this season.

The 32-year-old Jamaican Daley, who arrived at Fir Park in 2011 after leaving Rotherham United, has made 17 appearances this term.

Hetherington made his only three appearances at the start of the season before the 20-year-old was farmed out to Airdrie United.

Watt also spent time at Excelsior Stadium before a further a further loan spell at Division One rivals Raith Rovers.

Fellow 19-year-old Devlin also failed to break into the first team during his two years at Fir Park after arriving from Dumbarton.

The Scotland Under-19 cap spent loan spells back at his former club and with Stenhousemuir.