Liam Kelly says being Motherwell captain “means everything to me” as he delivered an emotional farewell to the club and fans.
The Scotland goalkeeper, 28, is leaving Fir Park this summer after more than 100 appearances in a three-a-half-year spell including an initial six-month loan from QPR.
Kelly, who has been linked with a move to Rangers, said on Instagram:, external “To all my team-mates, thank you for being the great guys that you are and making every day we spent together so enjoyable.
“To my managers, goalkeeping coaches and all the staff at the club, no matter your role, however big or small, thank you, it’s been an honour to represent you.
“To the amazing supporters of the club, through all the good and bad, we’ve experienced it all together. We aren’t perfect, but what we always knew is that we would turn up side by side and give everything every single week.
“That unwavering loyalty and togetherness through the difficult times when everyone started to write us off as they always did is the sole reason why this great club will be in the top flight yet again for the 39th consecutive year.
“Being your captain means everything to me.”
Scotland goalkeeper Liam Kelly and Calum Butcher will leave Motherwell on the expiry of their contracts this summer, the club have announced.
Callum Slattery, Stephen O’Donnell, Bevis Mugabi, Sam Nicholson and Matty Connelly have been offered new deals and are currently in negotiations.
Aston Oxborough and Paul McGinn have both signed extended contracts until next summer, with the latter having the option of another year, while Blair Spittal departs having signed a pre-contract with Hearts.
Barry Maguire and Callan Elliot are also among the players leaving as free agents, while loan signings Georgie Gent, Jack Vale, Adam Devine, Adam Montgomery and Oli Shaw all head back to their parent clubs.
That leaves the Fir Park side with 11 first-team players heading into pre-season, with Theo Bair, Lennon Miller, Dan Casey, Shane Blaney, Davor Zdravkovksi, Andy Halliday, Harry Paton, Ross Tierney and Moses Ebiye also under contract.
Manager Stuart Kettlewell confirmed midfielder Butcher, 33, turned down a new deal.
“It’s never nice to see players leave the club, but I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all who are departing,” added Kettlewell.
