Striker signs two-year deal

WARREN Feeney has been confirmed as Athletic’s latest signing.

Red tape had prevented the club from officially unveiling the striker until today, but a two-year contract has now been signed, sealed and delivered.

The Northern Ireland international — who was being chased by a number of suitors in npower League One, including Charlton and Carlisle — had no doubts about committing himself to the Boundary Park outfit.

“I wanted to come somewhere where I will enjoy my football and most of all, somewhere I know I will be playing,” said the 29-year-old, who left Championship club Cardiff at the end of last season.

“That was the most important thing. As soon as I spoke to Paul Dickov (manager) and Gerry Taggart (assistant) I was interested straight away and wanted to come.

“There were other teams in for me, but I am not one who wants to look around and play one off against the other.

“I want to play and enjoy my football. I am an honest lad and as soon as I knew of the interest it was something I wanted to look into.”

The delay in confirming Feeney’s capture was down to late medical reports, which arrived this morning.

He is set to turn out for the first time in an Athletic shirt in Saturday’s friendly with Scottish first division boys Falkirk at Northwich Victoria (3pm kick-off).

“The club made the player go through a thorough medical examination and because of its complexity, there was a delay in reports coming through which held up the completion of the deal,” explained Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy.

A year ago, Feeney came close to rejoining Leeds United — his first professional club — but the deal collapsed as a result of a failed medical.

The problem then was his hip, but Feeney has since had surgery to correct it.

Athletic have fixed up an extra friendly, taking on Premier League side Bolton Wanderers at Boundary Park on Wednesday, July 28 (7.30pm kick-off).

The home friendly with Preston, originally set for July 27, will now be played on Saturday, July 31 (3pm).

Athletic’s reserves were in action today in the semi-final of the Totesport.com League Cup.

Lee Duxbury’s men travelled to Bamber Bridge to take on Preston (2pm kick-off) and the squad included professionals Kelvin Lomax, Jon Worthington, Joe Colbeck, Tom Eaves, Lewis Alessandra, Phil McGrath and Josh Ollerenshaw.





:: ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov has put four players on the transfer list as he rings the changes at Boundary Park.



Midfielders Jon Worthington, Joe Colbeck and Rob Purdie, plus left-back Joe Jacobson, can leave the club either on permanent deals or loans.

The idea is to free funds to allow Dickov to bring in new players.