| Name: | Dale Stephens |
| Nationality: | English |
| Date of Birth: | 12/12/1987 |
| Height: | 5' 7" (169cm) |
| Weight: | 11st 3lbs (71.0kg) |
| Previous | |
| Clubs: | Bury, Hyde (loan), Droylsden |
| Position: | Midfielder |
Midfielder Dale Stephens joined Athletic from near neighbours Bury in summer 2008.
A busy midfielder who can operate at either end of the pitch, Stephens trod a well-worn path when he made the move to Boundary Park.
After coming through the Bury youth system, Stephens made his debut against Peterborough in February 2007 before joining Drolysden on loan the following September.
He returned from the loan spell to push for a first-team place and featured nine times, scoring his first goal in the home game against Bradford.
Latics saw a bid for the player rejected in the January transfer window before finally getting their man after the 2007/08 season had concluded.
A tribunal looks likely to settle the fee Latics must pay for the player, who is regarded as one for the future by the club's coaching staff.
