Midfielder Dolan Joins On Loan

Oldham Athletic are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Callum Dolan on loan from Fleetwood until 2 January.

The 23-year-old former Manchester United and Blackburn youth team player arrives from Fleetwood, where he has played since January 2023.

Dolan earned his move to Fleetwood on the back of an impressive two seasons at Warrington Rylands, also playing for Radcliffe and Matlock having signed a professional contract with Latics in August 2019.

“I’m really excited to be here and as soon as the opportunity came up, it is something I wanted a lot,” Dolan said.

“I’ve spoken to the manager, his plans are fantastic and I’m looking forward to playing in front of what I know is a brilliant fanbase here.

“I’m very grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity. Last time I was here, I made some mistakes but I feel the character I’ve shown to get back to playing at a good level displays the desire I’ve got to play.

“I had always thought about coming back here and playing in front of the Oldham fans and hopefully this is my opportunity to repay them.

“I could easily have given up on a lot of things but as soon as I got my head straight, I knew that I wanted to prove myself again as a footballer and my determination has always been to come back to a big club like Oldham and do well.”

Dolan began his career with seven years in the academy at Manchester United before featuring in the U18 Premier League for Blackburn.

He made his senior debut for Stockport Town before featuring for an Altrincham side which reached the National League North play-offs in 2019, joining Latics that summer as a 19-year-old.

He spent time on loan at Ashton United, then joining Radcliffe and a return of 15 goals in 26 appearances during his second season at Rylands earned him a move back to the EFL with Fleetwood, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Manager Micky Mellon said: “Callum is a talented lad and we need the type of energy he can bring to our midfield. As a player, he’s got many of the qualities we need to help us play the way we want to.

“What really impresses me about Callum is how he has turned his life around. He has paid quite rightly for what he has done previously but he has shown a great attitude in going back into lower non-league which has earned him his move to Fleetwood.

“I have done a lot of work in an industry with young people who maybe need some guidance in life and make poor decisions if they don’t have that. It’s then the responsibility of people in roles like mine to help them make better decisions.

“Callum is definitely making better decisions in life and he has shown that has a great desire to be a footballer. To be a good footballer, you’ve got to make good decisions on and off the pitch. Callum has been desperate to come back to Oldham, he is a good young man and I am pleased to have him here.”