Western Sydney Wanderers have sold star midfielder Oscar Priestman to Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell for an undisclosed fee.
Priestman is the third Wanderers star to be lured to Scotland this off-season after Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 Johnny Warren Medallist Nicolas Milanovic joined Aberdeen and Zac Sapsford moved to Dundee United.
The 22-year-old Australia youth international, who has made more than 50 A-Leagues appearances for the Wanderers since completing the cross-town switch from rivals Sydney FC in 2023, is the third Isuzu UTE A-League graduate in the Motherwell squad – joining Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Adelaide United, Western United and Newcastle Jets) and John Koutroumbis (Newcastle Jets, Wanderers and Perth Glory).
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“I’m really grateful and excited to have the opportunity to represent this special football club,” Priestman said after his transfer to Motherwell.
“I see this as a big chance to progress my career, and the environment here with all the players and staff seems the perfect fit for me. There’s been a lot of travel over the last couple of days, and there’s more to come over the next couple of weeks.
“I’m looking forward to getting settled in Scotland and getting to work. I can’t wait to play in front of all the supporters at Fir Park, and hopefully I can contribute to the team having a really successful season. I watched the highlights from the games so far, and it looks like such an exciting team.
“Bring it on.”
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Priestman played 26 matches in 2024-25 as Alen Stajcic’s Wanderers reached the Elimination Final, scoring one goal and setting up another in Western Sydney.
“We’re very excited to welcome Oscar Priestman to Motherwell FC,” said Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou.
“Over the years scouting the Australian market has been very fruitful for us, and through data and our scouting network we have identified Oscar to be our next success story from down under.
“At 22 he’s already had good exposure in the A-League. He’s shown his big talent and potential as a dynamic and athletic central midfielder with good feet, solid body language and a great work rate. We look forward to developing his abilities even further and seeing him grow in our environment.
“He’ll be with us this week before he travels to China during the international break to secure a place in the Asian Cup for the Australian U23s.”
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Priestman follows Milanovic, Marcus Antonsson, Jack Clisby, Dean Pelekanos, Jeong Tae-Wook, Taiga Harper, Sapsford, Alexander Badolato and young gun Marcus Younis (Brondby) in leaving the Wanderers.
Western Sydney, though, have recruited Kosta Barbarouses, Steven Ugarkovic, Phillip Cancar, Alou Kuol and Ruon Tongyik while re-signing Lawrence Thomas, Gabriel Cleur, Jordan Holmes, Alaat Abdul-Rahman, Ricky Fransen and Ben Mewett.
Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson said: “On behalf of the club, I’d like to thank Oscar for his commitment and contribution during his time with us.
“We wish him every success in the next stage of his career.”
Stajcic added: “Oscar showed amazing progression last season and was a key figure in the team progressing to the Finals Series.
“We wish him all the best in his football journey overseas.”
