Motherwell complete Lukas Fadinger signing despite Michael Wimmer departure

Motherwell have pressed ahead with the signing of Austrian midfielder Lukas Fadinger despite the departure of manager Michael Wimmer.

Fadinger has arrived on a two-year contract from Austrian Bundesliga side Rheindorf Altach, where he scored four goals in 61 appearances over two seasons.

The former Sturm Graz youth player also spent the previous campaign in the Austrian top flight with Hartberg.

Fadinger’s signing was lined up during former Austria Vienna manager Wimmer’s brief spell in charge.

The German returned to his native country last week but assistant manager Ahmet Koc remains under contract at Fir Park and Motherwell are pressing on with both player and managerial recruitment plans.

“I am so happy to be at this club,” Fadinger said on Motherwell’s official website. “We’ve been holding talks for a couple of months now, and to now finally say I’m a Motherwell player makes me very happy.

“This move excites me, and it’s a big step forward in my career. I’m already looking forward to the start of the new season and meeting all the fans.”

Wimmer has been introduced as manager of SSV Jahn Regensburg after taking up the challenge of getting the club back up following their relegation from Bundesliga 2.

The 44-year-old had previously admitted one of his sons in particular was finding it difficult to cope with him being based in Scotland, and another family issue emerged towards the end of the season which convinced him he needed to return home.

The former Stuttgart coach’s new club is based within an hour’s drive of his home town.

Quoted on his new club’s website, Wimmer said: “Everyone in my hometown knows SSV Jahn; it’s a traditional club from eastern Bavaria. I’m really excited to get started and can hardly wait.

“My family is, of course, very happy too.

“I had a fantastic time in Scotland, from a sporting perspective. We retained our league status with four games to go and were able to beat Glasgow Rangers at the famous Ibrox Stadium.

“Besides sport, family is also a part of my life. They are my top priority. Things have now developed to the point where I would like to return to Germany.

“The fact that it has now become so close to home is, of course, fantastic.

“When it was finally finalised on Friday, my son was beaming with joy – the look on his face was incomparable. That convinced me once again that it was the right decision.”