Latics swoop to sign ex-Dale wing-man
Date published: 03 July 2024
Latics' new winger Jesurun Uchegbulam. Image courtesy of OAFC
Winger Jesurun Uchegbulam has completed a move to Latics on a one-year contract.
The 23-year-old arrives at Boundary Park from Rochdale, where he made 19 league starts and 11 substitute appearances last season.
Uchegbulam has also spent a season at Chesterfield and becomes Micky Mellon’s fifth signing of the summer.
Uchegbulam said: “It’s a very exciting move for me.
"I know a lot about the club, the manager and the expectations here, I’m very pleased to be an Oldham player and I’m ready for the challenge.
“I’m a pacey winger who likes a trick or two and I want to try to get the fans out of their seats.
"I’m still young and if things click for me, I feel like I can add more goals and assists to my name.
“I’ve played against Oldham before, I know how loud and passionate the fans are.
"I’ve got things I want to prove to myself and other people and I can’t wait to get started.”
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Uchegbulam grew up in Milan before moving to the north west of England, making an impression during successful seasons with Mossley and Matlock Town.
His impact was such that he attracted the attention of Chesterfield, making the move into the National League at the age of 21, featuring mainly as a substitute during his season in Derbyshire, before joining Rochdale last summer.
Manager Mellon said: “Jes caught my eye when he played against us at Rochdale, he made a real impact and I was surprised he had not come onto my radar before as a manager.
“From that moment on, I’ve kept a close eye on him and earmarked him as someone I’d like to work with.
"He’s young and he’s got all the attributes to be a top player.
“We’ve added four players this week, the make-up of the squad is going in the right direction but there’s still work to be done.
"I still want to improve the group, either by making the players we’ve got better and by bringing better players in, and we’ll continually be looking to do that.”
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