Malcolm failed to establish himself at Derby

Malcolm, 27, has been searching for a club since being released by the English Premier League side last month.

"Hopefully, I can add experience to the squad. I've no doubt we can finish third in the SPL and qualify for the Uefa Cup," he told the club's website.

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee said Malcolm had good passing ability and was a quality addition at Fir Park.

The Scot, who can also play in midfield, failed to settle at Derby and spent a loan spell at Queen's Park Rangers last November.

He left Ibrox in September 2006 after falling out of favour under the then Rangers manager Paul Le Guen.

Malcolm made 14 appearances for Derby after moving to Pride Park, including one in the Barclays Premier League in this season's 6-0 defeat at Liverpool.

We've got a lot of ability in our squad and there's no reason why we can't push on Bob Malcolm

But he was then loaned to QPR in November and played 11 times for the Coca-Cola Championship side.

Malcolm said he was relishing the prospect of playing SPL football again after his stint in England.

"Outside the top two there isn't much between the rest of the sides and we have just as good a shout as any of the teams up there," he said.

"We're not a city club like Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen who have greater financial clout but we've got a lot of ability in our squad and there's no reason why we can't push on."

Malcolm added that he hoped to impress McGhee and remain at Fir Park beyond the end of the season.

McGhee said: "He'll suit the way we play and I think he'll enjoy our style."