New Latics signing Mani Dieseruvwe spoke to the club after joining on loan from Salford City until the end of the season.
The striker met up with his new teammates for training before the move was confirmed on Friday afternoon. Speaking after his first day at the club, Dieseruvwe said: "It’s gone really well. I think the club seems really, really friendly and all the people involved with the club seem really nice.
"The gaffer showed his interest in me and I think that was big part in me coming here. It will feel nice to come somewhere where I feel welcome and can get on with all the players, the staff, all the people at the club really and hopefully do well for them.
"I’m coming here to bring my qualities to the team. I've already trained with the boys and I can see there’s great quality amongst the team, so I’m just looking to help where possible and chip in with as many goals as possible until the end of the season."
Following Salford’s promotion last season, Dieseruvwe made an instant impact in League Two. The 24-year-old grabbed a brace on the opening day of the campaign, scoring the club’s first ever goals in the Football League as the Ammies beat Stevenage 2-0. Latics boss Dino Maamria was in the opposition dugout that day, with Dieseruvwe’s performance catching his eye.
"I spoke to him [Dino] when I first got here and he obviously mentioned that (the Stevenage game). He showed me that he believes in me and that’s something that’s important for me.
"I can go out on a Saturday or Tuesday and express myself and know that I’ve got the confidence of the gaffer and all the players behind me to go and perform and hopefully get a few goals for the team and get some wins and some three points.”
Dieseruvwe played a crucial role in Salford’s promotion push towards the back end of the 2018/19 season, scoring the opening goal at Wembley in the play-off final. New Latics signing Carl Piergianni was also on the scoresheet that day, and Dieseruvwe is relishing the chance to join up with his former teammate.
"I spoke to 'Pidge' as well before coming here. He said only good things about the place. He said everyone was friendly as well and welcoming, so with him being here it was an added bonus for me coming here knowing he was here as well."
Dieseruvwe continued his fine form from the back end of Salford’s National League campaign into the beginning of this season, netting three league goals in August. However, his playing opportunities have been restricted since November and the 6’5 striker is looking forward to working hard and getting more game time under his belt for Latics in order to recapture the form that helped guide Salford to promotion.
"My agent and the gaffer at Salford told me about this opportunity, and with me not playing it was a no-brainer for me to come to a club like Oldham and get some games.
"I’ve not played as much as I’d like to in recent months and that’s obviously part of football, it doesn’t always go your way. I’d like to hit form again and get a few goals and rekindle that form from last season and at the start of this season.
"The most important thing is to work as hard as possible whenever you’re given the chance to play. For me, I’ll do my best to hold the ball up for the team and be a nuisance for defenders, try and get in behind defenders and obviously score as many goals as possible."
Dieseruvwe is available for Latics’ clash with Macclesfield this afternoon and cannot wait to get started.
"I’m raring to go, if the gaffer picks me I’ll be desperate to make an instant impact for the fans and definitely make a positive impression to make sure we get those three points."