Dun deal for Latics

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 21 February 2014


CANADIAN international Terry Dunfield has joined Athletic until the end of the season.

The midfielder, 32 yesterday, has signed a short-term deal subject to international clearance.

Dunfield has played for Manchester City, Bury and Macclesfield and most recently for FC Toronto.

He brings cover to the centre of the park after the loss of Anton Rodgers through injury.

“I didn’t feel we could take any chances,” Athletic boss Lee Johnson said. “Terry has a good pedigree and has impressed us on trial.”

Vancouver-born Dunfield played in the same City youth team as Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

He made his one and only first-team appearance for the Blues under Joe Royle in 2001, when he came on as a substitute against Chelsea.

In 2002 he was loaned to Bury and subsequently signed a three-year deal at the Gigg Lane club, for whom he played 74 times. He then had spells at Macclesfield and Shrewsbury.

Returning to Canada in 2010, he turned out for Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto, where he was player of the year in 2012.

With a loan return for James Tarkowski no longer on the cards and Genseric Kusunga (quad) both injured and suspended, Johnson could also make a move for a defender on loan soon if the need arises after tomorrow’s game.



Preliminary talks have taken place about an extension to James Wesolowski’s contract.

The captain’s deal expires in the summer and though Athletic don’t yet know for sure which division they will be in next season, Johnson set up a meeting with the long-serving former Peterborough and Leicester player’s representative.

“What division you are in makes a difference and I don’t want to talk negatively, as I fully expect us to be in League One,” Johnson told the Chronicle.

“You have the forward planning thought process. I am in touch with James Wesolowski’s agent and met him yesterday. It will probably be dragged out by both parties, to see where we are.”