Latics make exciting double swoop on eve of new campaign

Latics further signalled their ambitious intentions yesterday when they unveiled two more exciting new signings.

With the 2023/24 National league opener away at Southend United now just one day away, Latics boss David Unsworth has swooped to sign striker James Norwood and the versatile and experienced Brennan Dickenson.

Norwood arrives from League One Barnsley for an undisclosed fee. 

The 32-year-old joins Latics on a two-year deal, with an option of a further year. 

Norwood started his career with his hometown side Eastbourne, but his breakout season came in 2012/13 with Forest Green Rovers, when he found the net on 15 occasions. 

After bagging 30 goals over the next two seasons, he linked up with fellow Conference National side, Tranmere Rovers, where he scored 19 goals in his debut campaign, before netting 14 the following season as Rovers lost in the play-off final. 

His tally of 20 in 2017-18 was enough to send Tranmere up, albeit through the play-offs, and in his first full season in the Football League, he finished as the league’s top scorer on 29 goals. 

Another 29 goals in his debut EFL campaign steered them to back-to-back promotions, returning to League One after five years away.

Dickenson, meanwhile, has linked up at Boundary Park on a one-year deal. 

The 30-year-old (pictured above), who can operate anywhere down the left-hand side, joins Latics having recently left Carlisle United. 

He started his career with Dorchester Town, before getting a move to Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion at the age of 18. 

He failed to break into the first-team on the south coast, and left for Gillingham in 2014 after a number of loan spells. 

Dickenson spent two years at Priestfield, before crossing the Thames Estuary, joining Colchester United. 

It was in his debut season with the U’s that he enjoyed his most prolific season to date, finding the net on 12 occasions in 36 league appearances. 

During the Covid-19 interrupted season of 2019/20, he enjoyed short spells with MK Dons and Exeter City, before swapping Devon for Cumbria, moving to Carlisle United.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.