Sport

Danny Philliskirk signs two-year contract with Oldham Athletic – but told to become ‘a man’ on pitch

By Matthew Lees

Striker Danny Philliskirk has signed a two-year contract with Oldham Athletic – but boss Lee Johnson is encouraging him to ‘become a man’ on the pitch.

Philliskirk, son of Oldham’s Academy Manager Tony, has secured the new deal after impressing since returning to the club where his career began as a youngster.

The forward scored one minute into his debut for the reserve side against Wrexham and then scored a hat trick against Tranmere Rovers Reserves a week later to impress Johnson.

“Danny has done really well since he arrived. He is technically very good and an excellent finisher,” the 32-year-old told the club website.

“He needs to become a man in his personality on the pitch and, if we can get that into his game, he can become a top player and back to where he was as a youngster.

“Danny provides us with another attacking option – we have lots of them – and I believe this side will score goals whoever plays up front.”

Despite failing to make an appearance in his first Latics spell the 22-year-old moved to Chelsea on a four-year contract in 2007.

He had spells on loan at Oxford and Sheffield United before signing for the Blades permanently in 2011, spending two years in total at Bramall Lane.

He moved to Coventry City in February and played once before training with Doncaster Rovers in the summer.

Having originally been a trialist Oldham now have an option to extend Philliskirk’s contract for a third year.

Meanwhile defender Joe Cooper, 18, made his debut for Carlisle-based non-league side Celtic Nation last night after joining on a one-month loan deal.

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