Dean Cornelius swaps Motherwell for Harrogate

Harrogate has made their sixth acquisition of the summer by securing the talents of midfielder, Dean Cornelius.

The 22-year-old joins the English club after a solid season with Scottish Premiership side Motherwell.

Cornelius started his football journey with Edinburgh-based Hibernian before signing for his hometown club in 2018.

His stint at Motherwell was marked with notable success, culminating in him winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award for the 2021/22 season.

Upon signing a two-year contract with Harrogate, Cornelius expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "There’s been a lot of different aspects of the club that have really caught my eye and made me want to come here. I’ve said for a while I’ve always wanted to challenge myself down in England, and I feel like Harrogate is the right club for me."

He further shared his ambitions and alignment with the club's goals for the upcoming season, saying, "I’ve spoken briefly with the Manager about his goals for the upcoming season and it really matched what I want to do in my career. Hopefully, we can kick on and have a good season."

Reflecting on his decision to leave Motherwell, he shared, "It was never going to be easy leaving Motherwell, but I just felt now at 22-years-old it was the right time and the right move in my career to now challenge myself in a new league and a new environment, moving away from home for the first time."

Confident in Harrogate's prospects, Cornelius said, "We sat down and looked at where the club finished, how the form was and could see that they were really starting to get to grips with it and especially with the signings they have made it made me think they can kick on and be there or thereabouts in the league.”

In the upcoming season, Cornelius will be seen sporting the number eight shirt for Harrogate.