Swansea City are closing in on a move for Elijah Just, the 26-year-old New Zealand international winger currently at Motherwell, in what is expected to be a landmark deal for the Scottish Premiership club. The transfer, if completed, would represent the largest fee ever received by the Lanarkshire side, with reports also noting interest from Celtic.
A standout World Cup and a rising profile
Just arrives on the back of a highly visible summer, having featured in all three of the All Whites’ fixtures at the World Cup and finding the net three times. His form on the international stage followed a productive season at Fir Park, where he made 43 appearances, scored seven goals and earned a nomination for top-flight player of the year honours in Scotland.
The winger moved to Motherwell in 2025 after several years in Denmark and quickly established himself as a key attacking outlet. His progress drew attention beyond Fir Park, with Celtic registering interest with his representatives, though no formal bid was lodged, according to Scottish media coverage.
Record fee implications
While Swansea have not disclosed terms, the transfer is expected to eclipse Motherwell’s previous record departure. Scottish reports suggest the offer surpasses the sale of midfielder Lennon Miller to Udinese, reported at £5m. The scale of the fee underlines Just’s value after a stellar year domestically and internationally, and would provide a significant boost to Motherwell’s finances.
| Player | Club (from) | Notable record |
|---|---|---|
| Elijah Just | Motherwell | Fee expected to set new club record received |
| Lennon Miller | Motherwell | Reported £5m sale to Udinese (previous record) |
What it means for Swansea
Should the move be finalised, Just would become part of a growing Antipodean contingent in SA1, linking up with fellow New Zealand international Marko Stamenic. He would also be reunited with summer arrival Stephen Welsh, who spent last season on loan at Motherwell from Celtic. The addition of a direct, goal-scoring wide player would broaden Swansea’s attacking options ahead of the forthcoming EFL Championship campaign, offering pace and penetration from the flanks.
Strengthening out wide has been a persistent theme in recent windows for Swansea, and the capture of a World Cup goal-scorer in his mid-20s would represent a statement of intent. With Just capable of operating on either wing, his arrival could bring tactical flexibility, competition for starting roles, and depth through a demanding league schedule.
Timeline and next steps
Multiple outlets report that the bid has been accepted and the player is expected to travel to conclude the move in the coming days. Swansea have not made a formal announcement at the time of writing. Motherwell, meanwhile, stand to post a record sale as part of a summer of notable departures, as reported in Scotland.
- Age: 26
- Position: Winger
- 2025–26 (Motherwell): 43 appearances, 7 goals
- World Cup 2026: 3 goals, 3 matches
Context for supporters
For Swansea supporters, the prospective signing offers a blend of international experience and recent top-flight Scottish form. The move would also reconnect two players familiar with each other’s games from last season, potentially smoothing integration during pre-season. With the Championship campaign approaching, clarity over registration and availability will be key, though no timeline has been confirmed by the club.
From Motherwell’s perspective, the deal would continue a pattern of capitalising on player development and international exposure, converting strong individual performances into much-needed revenue. Any final fee has not been publicly confirmed by either club, but the expectation of a new club record underscores the scale of this transfer.
We will provide updates as soon as the transfer is officially announced by Swansea City or Motherwell.
