Latics sign trio during hectic day at Boundary Park

Latics signed three new players yesterday (Tuesday) as preparations for the new National League campaign stepped up a significant notch.

Midfielder Harry Charsley has signed on the dotted line.

The 27-year-old Everton academy graduate joins Latics after spending the last four seasons in the EFL with Mansfield, Port Vale and Newport.

A midfielder with strong attacking instincts and the ability to create, he made 48 appearances for Newport over the last 18 months.

On joining Latics, Charsley said: “It is a really exciting time to be joining Oldham and I can’t wait for the season to start.

“I had other offers from clubs from higher divisions during the summer but the ambitions here were clear from my conversations with Micky Mellon and I’m delighted to be part of it.

“I’ve had two days of training with the squad, the standard and intensity has been excellent and I’m very excited about the season ahead.”

Charsley joined the academy at Everton at the age of nine, earning a professional contract after featuring in the side which won the U18 Premier League title in 2014.

In total, he spent six years on professional terms at Goodison Park, top scoring in the 2017 PL2 title win with 12 goals in 23 games.

He spent a loan in the Championship with Bolton before spending two seasons with Mansfield, scoroing seven goals in 74 appearances.

Charsley was part of the Port Vale side which won promotion via the League Two play-offs in 2022, featuring as a substitute in the final at Wembley before a move to Newport.

“Harry is a really clever player and we’ve worked really hard to get him,” manager Micky Mellon said.

“He had opportunities to stay in the EFL but when we spoke to him and told him what we want to do at Oldham, he happily agreed to join us.

“We want him to be part of what we achieve here. We were clear in where we needed to strengthen and signing Harry is a huge positive for us.”

A real eye-catching move saw xperienced central defender Manny Monthe join Latics.

The 29-year-old arrives at Boundary Park after emerging as an established presence in the EFL over the last six years.

He spent the last season in League One with Northampton Town, following successful spells at Forest Green Rovers and Tranmere, playing key roles in earning promotion with both clubs.

He arrives at Boundary Park on a two-year contract.

Monthe said: “I’m very pleased to have signed for Oldham and can’t wait for the season to get started.

“We’ve had a really strong start to pre-season, the players look sharp and there’s a great atmosphere in the squad.

“I’ve worked with the manager and a number of players before and it’s a move that really excites me.

“This is a huge club and there’s so much potential to do well, now it’s our responsibility to perform on the pitch.”

Born in Cameroon, Monthe made 34 appearances in League One last season for a Northampton side which secured a respectable mid-table finish in their first season back in the third tier.

A former with player with Queens Park Rangers, he had spent the previous two seasons with Walsall.

Monthe played for a number of non-league sides whilst developing at QPR and following his release.

It was during his time at Bath City in 2016 that Monthe came to prominence, earning a move to Forest Green which provided the springboard for his career. The defender won promotion via the National League play-offs during his first season at the New Lawn, before moving to Tranmere after 18 months.

In total, Monthe’s 108 appearances on the Wirral included two further promotions, playing a central role under Latics manager Mellon as Tranmere rose from the National League to League One in consecutive seasons.

Boss Mellon said: "I’ve said all along that we need players to be able to push us on to that next level as a squad and Manny is one of those types of players.

“I know Manny well, I’ve worked with him for a long time before and he’ll be a huge signing for us.

"He’s still ambitious to be successful and I’m looking forward to the supporters seeing him play.

“I’ve said we’ve needed time and patience to build a team that can get us results and play the way we want.”

Another midfielder - Josh Kay - joined Latics on a two-year contract.

Operating primarily in wide areas, the 27-year-old also has an eye for goal and boasts a promotion from the National League with Barrow during his career.

Kay joins Latics from AFC Fylde, where he scored four times last season, making 26 starts and seven substitute appearances.

“I can’t wait to get started, everyone knows how big a club Oldham is and this is an opportunity I am really excited about,” Kay said.

“What makes this such a great move for me is overall size of the club, the passion of the supporters and the possibility of pushing for promotion.

"That’s what everyone wants, we will all be striving to get the club back into the EFL and I want to be a part of that.

“I’m a player who likes to be creative, contribute to goals and chip in with a few myself, mainly from outside the box.

“I’ve been promoted from this league before and the qualities you need as much as anything are grit and determination.

"There are definitely challenges in this division but I have no doubt that we have the facilities and the players to be successful.”

Kay has spent three separate spells at Fylde in total, becoming his first senior club as he made his first-team debut as an 18-year-old.

The promise he displayed earned him a move to Barnsley, then of the EFL Championship, where he spent two seasons.

His time at Oakwell included loans back to Fylde and to Tranmere, where he worked briefly with Latics manager Micky Mellon.

Kay spent a season in League Two with Chesterfield, whilst his five years at Barrow included a National League title win in 2020, contributing seven goals during the promotion campaign.

In total, he scored 23 times in 173 games at Holker Street.

Gaffer Mellon said: “We’ve been looking for that player who can operate in wide areas and can help provide width high up the pitch.

“Josh will be able to do that, he has been successful in winning promotion from this league before and he has also played a lot of football in League Two.

“I have worked with Josh before, he can score goals and is a strong and committed boy.

"We wanted to add some athleticism to the side and he will definitely bring that as well.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Dan Ward has left Latics to sign for South Shields on the permanent basis.

Ward, 26, who joined Oldham last summer from Gateshead, made five league starts and two substitute appearances while at Boundary Park.

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