Goalkeeper Connor Ripley joins Motherwell on loan

Motherwell have signed Middlesbrough's Connor Ripley on a loan deal. Picture: Alan Watson

The 6ft 3in former England youth international, who has made three first-team appearances for Boro, has signed until January.

The 22-year-old has had loan spells with Oxford, Bradford and Swedish side Ostersunds, and was previously set for a spell at Aberdeen until the deal fell through.

Ripley, son of former England, Blackburn and Middlesbrough winger Stuart, will challenge Dan Twardzik for the goalkeeper’s jersey and will travel to Inverness.

He told Motherwell’s official website: “I’m very pleased to be here and after the gaffer gave me a call yesterday to say everything had gone through, I couldn’t get in the car quick enough to get up to Scotland.

“I want to play at the highest standard possible. I know I am going to have to work hard to get into the starting 11, but if I can do that and improve as a goalkeeper, I’ll be happy.

“I can obviously take inspiration from some of the goalkeepers who have come up to Motherwell in the recent past and I’ll hopefully do the same.”