Tope tonic

TOPE OBADEYI . . . two goals in 15 appearances for Athletic last season

STRIKER Tope Obadeyi is set to hand Athletic manager John Sheridan another boost in the run-up to the new season by agreeing to sign a new one-year contract.

Obadeyi isn't due to actually pen a deal until next week, but Athletic's chief executive Mark Moisley has confirmed to the Chronicle that it will definitely happen.

Moisley said: "We've managed to reach agreement with Tope's agent so the deal will be signed as soon as he can get into the office.

"Everything has been sorted while he's away.

"Things are coming together nicely for the manager and I know John is reasonably happy with where we are in terms of getting a good, competitive squad together for next season.

"We've obviously already got a number of players tied down to longer-term deals, while the manager will also be hoping to get a few more new faces in yet.

"We'll be utilising the loan system too, I'm sure."

Obadeyi will follow Brian Wilson, George Edmundson and Paul Green in taking up the offer of new contracts at SportsDirect.com Park.

Goalkeeper Chris Kettings still hasn't signed a new deal, but he had already indicated that he wouldn't be taking up an offer from Athletic.

The much-travelled Obadeyi - who lists Bolton, Swindon, Rochdale, Shrewsbury, Chesterfield, Bury, Plymouth, Kilmarnock, Dundee United and Portuguese outfit Rio Ave among his former clubs - made some positive contributions during his 15 appearances.

The Birmingham-born front man bagged goals in a 2-1 win at Northampton and the home 1-1 draw with Championship-bound Sheffield United.

Meanwhile, Moisley has indicated that Athletic will launch new home and away strips next month ahead of the eagerly-anticipated 2017-18 Sky Bet League One campaign.

The fixtures will be released on June 21, while the new season kicks-off during the weekend of August 5.

The Carabao Cup - the new name for the EFL, or League Cup competition - gets under way with first round ties during the week commencing Monday, August 7, while the Checkatrade Trophy matches begin during the week commencing August 28.

CHARLTON have signed Billy Clarke from League One rivals Bradford City for an undisclosed fee.

The forward has penned a two-year deal with Karl Robinson's side after helping the Bantams to May's play-off final, where they lost to Millwall.