Sources: Motherwell battle Leyton Orient and Burton for Dunfermline defender
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(Credit: Imago, Getty) Mon 13 April 2026 17:53, UK Scottish Premiership side Motherwell are fighting Leyton Orient and Burton Albion to sign Dunfermline defender Kieran Ngwenya on a free transfer, sources have told Football Insider.The 23-year-old is out of contract with the Scottish Championship side at the end of the season, and has been subject to regular checks from clubs in both the Premiership and England’s League One this term.Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline are fearful that they are about to lose the big centre-back this summer, and are aware that they are in no position to command a transfer fee as part of any negotiations.The former Aberdeen academy graduate has started 13 games in the Scottish Championship this term, and has helped Lennon’s men into a play-off place ahead of the final four games of the league season. Motherwell battling against English opportunityNgwenya has been standout performer for Dunfermline since he joined them from Partick Thistle back in 2024, but they are facing a difficult situation with significant interest now building ahead of the window.
LeagueTeamsAppsGoalsScottish Championship Dunfermline (2024-), Partick Thistle (2023-24), Raith Rovers (2022-23)804Scottish League TwoKelty Hearts (2021-22)25–Scottish League OneCove Rangers (2020-21)5–Scottish PremiershipAberdeen (2020-21)2–Ngwenya’s experience in the Scottish pyramid.Jens Berthel Askou is keen to add him to his Motherwell squad for next season, with the Well currently on course to record their highest league finish since the 2019-20 campaign. However, they are facing a battle against the opportunity for a career in English football if they are to land Ngwenya this summer.Several players from the upper tiers of the Scottish pyramid opt to move down south and take up a chance in the EFL, and the same situation could soon play out for Ngwenya.
They appear set to face a battle to keep hold of some of their own key players in the upcoming window, with winger Football Insider recently revealing that winger Elijah Just is now on the radar of English clubs as well as the Old Firm duo.The New Zealand international only joined last summer, but seven goals and seven assists from 30 league games have seen him enhance his reputation dramatically this season. That return has seen him emerge on the radar of clubs in the English pyramid, with the issue of EFL interest potentially about to plague Motherwell from several different angles this summer. 🏴 SPFL Insider Access Direct access to our dedicated Scottish hubs: Real-time intelligence from the heart of the SPFL