Dutch midfielder Sidney Schmeltz will sign for Oldham Athletic on a free transfer, subject to international clearance.
The 24-year-old will move to Boundary Park on a two-year contract, having played his whole professional career in Holland, was available after SC Veendam’s bankruptcy in March.
Having already signed Jonson Clarke-Harris and James Dayton, Latics manager Lee Johnson is pleased to have added to his squad further.
“Sidney is the perfect character and just the sort of player we are after,” said the 32-year-old.
“He is quick, exciting, skilful and hungry to learn the English game.
“It is our job as coaches to teach him that.”
Schmeltz had spells at Willem II, Almere City and Sparta Rotterdam – Netherlands’ oldest professional football club – before moving to Veendam.
Despite tasting the top flight of Dutch football (Eredivisie) while at Willem and finishing runner-up in the 2011-12 Eerste Divisie (First Division) with Sparta Rotterdam the midfielder is keen to test himself.
“I think it is a great step and am looking forward to play professionally at a higher level,” he told Dutch website RTV Noord.
Meanwhile, Oldham will be in the northern section and are unseeded for the Captial One Cup draw, due to take place on Monday.
Rankings are based on last season’s final league position and then split into north and south – Bury and Rochdale are also unseeded.
Bolton Wanderers are seeded with Wigan Athletic already in the second round hat after receiving a bye.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
