Experienced striker Garner joins Latics

New Latics striker Joe Garner. Image courtesy of OAFC

Latics have signed striker Joe Garner from League One Carlisle United.

Garner joins Latics having made nearly 600 professional appearances, including over 200 in the Championship and a further 200 in League One.

Garner arrives at Boundary Park on a contract until the end of the 2024/25 season.

“We’re delighted to have Joe on board, he had other offers but he was very keen to be a part of what we’re doing here,” said manager Micky Mellon.

“He has fantastic leadership qualities and experience at winning things, he knows the qualities that are needed in the dressing room.”

Garner started out with his hometown club, Blackburn Rovers, but got his big break with Carlisle United.

After making his loan move with the Cumbrians permanent, he bagged 14 in 31 appearances, earning him a move to Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Numerous loan spells and two seasons with Watford followed, before he joined Preston North End, where he’d enjoy some of the most successful years of his career.

After bagging 18 in his first full season, winning the Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year awards, he fired North End to promotion with 25 goals, as Preston swept Swindon aside 4-0 in the play-off final.

More recently he’s enjoyed time in Scotland with Rangers, Cyprus with APOEL, returning to Carlisle for his fourth spell 12 months ago, assisting United as they won the League Two play-off final.

“The way the manager spoke about the team and club, how huge it is, was a major part in me coming here, in addition to already knowing Muzza (Paul Murray)," said Garner.

“I just want to get started, helping the team get more wins and hopefully get us out of this league."

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