Dunfield ready to mount Latics challenge

New signing Terry Dunfield.

MUCH-travelled midfield dynamo Terry Dunfield is itching to break into Athletic’s first team.

The 32-year-old Canadian has had a varied career, which started at Manchester City and has brought him to Boundary Park until the end of the season.

He put pen to paper on a deal following a short trial during which he impressed manager Lee Johnson.

He said: “Everything here is first-class and I am desperate to get on the field. I’m excited about getting going and the boys in the changing room have been fantastic to me.”

Dunfield’s extensive experience could prove crucial in Athletic’s fight to start climbing the table.

His football career started when he arrived from Canada at 15 and joined City’s youth academy.

He stayed until he was 21, but his opportunities were limited and he made only one first-team appearance.

Bury came calling when he asked for a move and he stayed for three years and made 74 appearances.

There followed spells at Macclesfield, where he initially settled as a 15 year old and still lives today.

Dunfield was the Silkmen’s player of the year in 2007-8. He joined Shrewsbury Town the following year but was with the Shropshire club for only a year.

After winning his first cap for Canada, he moved back to Canadian football and two seasons with Vancouver Whitecaps, then Toronto FC in 2011. But he wanted to come back to England.

“The chance came about through Paul Murray, the Athletic reserve-team coach, who I played with at Shrewsbury,” said Dunfield. “The standard here is very good and very professional. I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”