Aljofree boosts Latics options

HASNEY Aljofree in his earlier loan spell with Athletic.

HASNEY ALJOFREE has boosted Athletic’s back-line options by signing a permanent deal with the club.

The 31-year-old defender had his contract at Swindon Town cancelled by mutual consent on Monday, allowing him to join a new club outside of the transfer window — and he is now set to be involved as Athletic travel to Tranmere this weekend for a crucial Coca-Cola League One relegation battle.

Aljofree’s agent Clive Hart said: “He’s delighted to have been given the opportunity to play for Oldham.

“He is looking forward to playing again in the first team.”

The versatile Blackley-born defender, brought in to provide cover for captain Sean Gregan and Reuben Hazell in the centre of defence as well as at left-back, has been absent from the first-team picture at Swindon for some time.

A serious knee injury severely restricted his opportunities at the County Ground. Out of action for 10 months from Boxing Day 2008, Aljofree — who has also played for Bolton, Dundee United and Plymouth, as well as having a five-game loan spell at Athletic under John Sheridan three years ago — has recently been unable to force his way into Town boss Danny Wilson’s plans.

Searching for first-team opportunities at another club, Aljofree played as a trialist for Athletic’s reserves in a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough last week and has now agreed a deal which runs until the end of the season.

Aljofree is set to make a swift return to his former employers when Athletic travel south to take on Swindon next Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Athletic have moved quickly to rearrange their away derby at Stockport County.

The match, postponed twice due to a frozen pitch and then waterlogging, will now be played on Tuesday, March 16 (7.45pm).

It means Athletic are facing the prospect of 18 matches inside the next three months, with the postponed home match against Brentford still to be given a new date.