Latics go Dutch

Winger Sidney Schmeltz has signed a deal to play for Athletic next season, according to reports in the Netherlands.

The 24-year-old winger arrives on a free transfer having last season turned out for Dutch second division club SC Veendam, who filed for bankruptcy in March.

Schmeltz will fill the gap left by departing wide man Lee Croft and will operate alongside fellow new winger James Dayton.

Manager Lee Johnson revealed to the Chronicle that a quick young winger was set to join the Boundary Park club and Schmeltz, who began his career at Willem II, appears to fit the bill.

“I think it is a great step,” the former Sparta Rotterdam player was quoted as saying in the Dutch media.

His arrival will make Schmeltz, who appeared 26 times scoring twice for Veendam last term, the third new signing for Johnson following Dayton and Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Meanwhile Athletic fans have been promised the club will be aiming high next season.

Big clubs with large resources have arrived in League One for 2013-14, with the likes of Wolves, Peterborough, Bristol City, Rotherham and Bradford all looking to push at the top of the table.

But first-team coach Paul Murray has every confidence Athletic will be able to live with the division’s leading lights — and he isn’t shy about laying out the plan for next season: to aim for the very top.

“We have to aim for promotion,” said Murray, who will again take charge of the reserves next season.

“If we aim for the top two spots and fall short, we may still be in the play-offs.

“We want to be as competitive a team as we can. There are some massive teams in this league now, with the likes of Wolves in it. Budgets will be high. But we will definitely put a competitive team out on the pitch.”