Alfred Johansson backs Dylan Levitt to flourish after Motherwell move

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson believes Fir Park will bring out the best in Dylan Levitt after signing the former Dundee United and Hibernian midfielder from Leyton Orient.

The Wales international signed for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract with Motherwell holding the option for a further season.

Levitt moved to Tannadice on a permanent basis in the summer of 2022 after an impressive loan spell from Manchester United, and he joined Hibs 12 months later after Dundee United were relegated.

He was allowed to join Orient in February after struggling for game time but he has more than 100 William Hill Premiership appearances under his belt and Johansson believes he can shine at Motherwell.

“I’m super happy with the signing of Dylan,” said Johansson, who could hand Levitt a debut against United on Wednesday.

“He fits the way that we want to do things really well. He’s good playing forward. He’s actually excited by the fact of playing balls forward to his team-mates to feed them and that’s all you want in a six.

“He is also mobile and moves well around the pitch so obviously that, together with his experience from up here, is a good match with us.

“With Oscar Priestman being out for a couple of months now, then it’s needed. Joe (Hodge) and Lukas (Fadinger) can’t play every game.

“This place is a place where we get the best out of people. Myself included. All my co-workers, all my directors, bosses, they get the best out of me as well. And that’s why I have a strong belief that we’ll be able to do that with Dylan too.”

Johansson has now made 11 summer signings and there could be movement in the opposite direction.

“We have a large squad at the moment, but it’s also because obviously a couple of players will move on loan, probably,” the Swede said.

“We also still have some long-term injuries, so then you’re going to have to be a little bit thicker.

“Everything will be clear in the coming weeks. The loan deals you can do a little bit later obviously. Some windows stay open. So every player needs to decide for themselves what they want to do.”

After selling Elijah Just, Elliot Watt and Calum Ward earlier in the summer, there has been fresh speculation over the likes of Tawanda Maswanhise and Emmanuel Longelo in recent days.

“I want all the best players to stay,” Johansson said. “But in the end, it’s not going to be within my power if it happens.

“I am always focusing on the here and now and everyone is here and everyone is committed. So we’ll have to take it if it comes.”