Reynolds has attracted interest from clubs in recent seasons

By John Barnes

Sheffield Wednesday have completed the signing of Mark Reynolds, leaving Motherwell manager Stuart McCall seeking a replacement for the defender.

Well had rejected Wednesday's initial offer of £100,000, but a new offer, understood to be of a similar amount but with add-ons, was accepted.

Wednesday boss Alan Irvine said: "Mark is very quick and has played a lot of games for someone of 23-years-old.

"He can play at left back or centre back and will add more quality."

Wednesday's Scottish manager was delighted to have secured a player for whom Motherwell rejected a £750,000 offer from Rangers in 2008 and was the subject of a summer approach from Swansea City.

"He has represented Scotland through to under-21 level and comes with glowing references from everyone that I spoke to," Irvine told his club's website.

Motherwell risked losing Reynolds, who came through Well's youth ranks, in the summer for nothing when his contract was due to expire.

The transfer fee won't be coming anywhere near me, but I get his wages Motherwell manager Stuart McCall

Instead, he was secured - the length of his deal has yet to be revealed - by Irvine on the same day as Wednesday signed striker Gary Madine for an undisclosed fee from League One rivals Carlisle United.

As the defender looks to help Wednesday improve on their ninth place, recently-appointed Well boss McCall will look to add to his squad as they attempt to remain in the top six in the Scottish Premier League.

"He goes with our best wishes," McCall told BBC Scotland on Saturday, having 24 hours earlier expressed hoped that Reynolds would stay to "go out on a real high" by helping the side reach the Scottish Cup final.

"Better him go now rather than two or three days before the deadline. It at least gives us a little bit of time, hopefully, to bring someone in.

"I'm disappointed for me to lose him because, in the short period of time I've worked with him, he's been a terrific kid.

"But he deserves his move away and we wish him all the best.

"It opens the door hopefully for some other youngster and, obviously Shaun Hutchinson.

"When I came in, we knew there was a good possibility that we would lose Mark in this window.

"The transfer fee won't be coming anywhere near me, but I get his wages. I'm happy to get on and hopefully try to bring somebody in on the wage he was on."

Indeed, McCall praised Hutchinson, who was handed a surprise first start in 13 months in place of Reynolds for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

"He's made a couple of little mistakes, but the boy has played one game in six weeks," McCall said of a player who has had injury problems.

"He is rusty, come into it cold. He was only told in the morning that he was playing.

"He's a gutsy kid. I was really pleased with his desire and determination."

McCall has now lost four players from the squad he inherited at the turn of the year and is also in danger of being without Keith Lasley for next week's visit by Hibernian after the midfielder limped off with a hamstring problem.

Nick Blackman returned to Blackburn, now managed by Scotsman Steve Kean, at the end of his loan before joining Aberdeen, fellow forward Alan Gow was freed, while wing-back Marc Fitzpatrick also left under freedom of contract.

"That frees up a little bit of money in the kitty to bring in new players, which we hope to do next week," said McCall.

"I'm not too sore about Nick and his decision. Over the last 10 days or so, I have had an idea that he wouldn't be coming back, so we have tried to look at different options.

"He said after the Hamilton game that, if he returned to Scotland, he would love it to be with Motherwell because he was settled here, but I think he and his agent were hopeful he would stay in England.

"I spoke to his agent yesterday and it sounded like even he was surprised with the decision.

"Craig Brown and Steve Kean are very close and I can understand why it has happened.

"Hopefully, by the beginning of next season we will get someone in who can be just as good as Nick, if not better."

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