Paterson was freed from the last year of his contract at Dundee United after Ian McCall told the 24 year old he was surplus to requirements at Tannadice. Signing midfielders must be Butcher's priority after losing Jason Dair ( Livingston ) and Keith Lasley ( Plymouth ).

Paterson played over 100 times for the ' Arabs ' scoring 5 times. Towards the end of last season he made a handful of appearances up front.

If a deal is done he will become Motherwell's second summer signing after Richie Foran joined from Carlisle last week.

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