OLDHAM Athletic have been pipped to Niall Maher's signature by newly promoted Grimsby.

Defender Maher was in advanced talks with Latics, with an offer on the table, after coming to the end of his contract with FC Halifax Town.

But after securing promotion back to the Football League, Grimsby have swooped to land the 26-year-old former Bolton Wanderers man on a two-year deal.

And he has explained why he chose the Mariners after being pursued by Latics and other clubs including Northampton and Rochdale.

"It’s been four and a half years coming, getting back into the Football League. I have spoken to the manager about his intentions and ambitions for next season and it was a no-brainer, we got it over the line very quickly, quicker than I expected!," Maher told the club's website.

“I am a ball-playing centre-half. I am very comfortable in possession, I don’t mind defending because that’s my first and foremost job! The fans are going to expect a ball-playing centre-half who is aggressive and can get around the pitch quick and a player with a lot of confidence”.

After an impressive season for Halifax, in which he helped secure a play-offs finish and a place in the National League team of the season, Maher attracted attention from a number of clubs.

Of opting for Grimsby, he said: "It’s the size of the club. The ambitions and the goals of the club and myself,.

"I have had opportunities in the past to play in the Football League, but I don’t think it has ever been the right move and after playing against Grimsby last season, the fanbase, the attractive style of play, they always made it a difficult game.

“Obviously seeing the success they had in the play-offs kind of spurred me on, we both have had successful seasons - me personally and Grimsby Town as a club - so when I spoke to the manager, I kind of said what my ambitions and goals were and we were the same, so it was an absolute no brainer to come here.

"I want to get my feet under the table here, stamp my authority down on what I can do and how I can help the team and then whether the manager picks me straight away, I will be giving 110 per cent at all times and I cannot wait to build a strong relationship with everyone here.”

After making Maher his first summer signing, Grimsby boss Paul Hurst said: “I am delighted to sign Niall. It was a relatively easy deal to do once we made contact with each other. I think he is excited about the prospect of joining us and I am delighted to have him on board.

“He was pretty much an ever-present for Halifax, who had a good season themselves. He was also part of that backline that was the best defence in the League and then was voted in the National League Team of the Season so he clearly caught the eye of other people as well so I think it’s a good signing for us.

“He had some other options but wanted the opportunity in the League and at the club that he was obviously impressed with from playing against us.

"He is a defender who reads the game very well, has composure in his play, he will compete but I think he reads situations and get ahead of the attackers in terms of using his brain and he always looked calm when I watched him, which is a good quality to have as a defender.”