McEleney signs two-and-a-half year deal with Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic have announced the signing of former Derry City and Dundalk attacker Patrick McEleney on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The silky Shantalla schemer was responsible for multiple goal of the season contenders in the 2017 League Of Ireland.

In 2016, he powered the Lilywhites to the Europa League group stages, laying on a sumptuous cross for David McMillan’s opener against FH before starring as a substitute in the 3-0 win over BATE Borisov.

Initially playing on the right side of the attack, the former Sunderland youth switched to his more customary number ten role halfway through the 2016 season and has been a focal point of the Lilywhite attack ever since. 

Speaking to extratime.ie shortly after McEleney signed for Dundalk, Dundalk coach Vinny Perth claimed that his signing (along with that of Robbie Benson) would make Dundalk even more exciting to watch.

Recently Oldham Athletic boss Richie Wellens, speaking with the Manchester Evening News, proclaimed McEleney to be the best footballer in the league. High praise from both men, two experienced and successful former midfielders themselves, with Perth ultimately being proved correct and Wellens signing his target.

McEleney joins an Oldham side lying 18^th in League One with fellow Irishmen Jack Byrne and Eoin Doyle currently featuring for the Latics on loan from Wigan Athletic and Preston North End respectively. He leaves the League of Ireland having won a First Division (2010), League Cup (2011) and FAI Cup (2012) with Derry City and the Premier Division (2015) and EA Sports Cup (2017) with Dundalk.