OLDHAM Athletic will come up against former midfielder Callum Whelan next season, after he signed for National League side Solihull Moors.

The 23-year-old has spent the last few weeks on trial with the Midlands outfit, scoring in the first of three pre-season friendlies he has featured in.

Former Manchester United youngster Whelan made over 70 appearances for Latics in the two seasons that he was at Boundary Park, but was released in the summer at the end of his contract.

On signing for the Moors, Whelan told the club website: “I’ve loved every day so far, it’s been good.

"The lads and staff welcomed me, and I settled in pretty quick – I’m delighted to sign a contract and looking forward to the season.

“I wanted to sign a contract, I wanted to be here. I’d heard a lot about the club before I came on trial.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work over the summer – a lot of individual work, gym work and running. I was just buzzing to get in a team environment and luckily enough the gaffer wanted to sign me.”

Manager Neal Ardley added: “Callum has trained and played with us for three weeks now and impressed us with his technical abilities and clever play – a feature we like our midfielders to have.

“We will work to develop his game into the mould of how our engine room operates and we hope he will become an astute signing.”

Whelan began his career Manchester United and spent 12 years with the Red Devils coming through the ranks, and included a brief loan spell with Port Vale.

He signed for Watford after leaving Old Trafford in 2019, and made his professional debut as a substitute in the fourth round of the FA Cup in January 2020.

The midfielder was snapped up by Oldham Athletic following a short trial period in August that year. He scored his first career goal in March this year.