ROUGHYEDS have completed two key pieces of recruitment with the retention of both Kian Morgan and Pat Moran, writes Kasey Smith.

Morgan has been an integral part of the team since making his debut, when he scored four tries in a commanding 100-4 victory over West Wales in April 2022, and has signed a one-year deal.

He has an impressive try-scoring record for Roughyeds, having touched down 20 times in 34 appearances.

Speaking on putting pen to paper with the club for the third time, Morgan said: “It was an honour to be one of the first players asked to sign again with the club.

“It didn’t matter to me what league or position the club was in, I would have signed regardless because of my love towards the club and the supporters.

“I had offers from other clubs, but my heart is with Oldham.

“I’m not the finished article yet and I’m getting better with each game, and there’s a lot more development in me.”

Joining Morgan will be Pat Moran who has signed an extension to keep him at Boundary Park until at least the 2025 season.

Moran, part of the squad that lost 13-12 to North Wales in last season’s play-offs, is aiming for the top prize in 2024.

“With the signings we’re making and if we attack the season well, we can go all the way,” he said.

“Last year went really well for me individually and, as a team, we wanted to go a bit further than we did but that’s rugby for you.

“Since signing, everybody has made me feel welcome, I’ve really enjoyed it at Oldham and I feel settled here. I’ve been playing some good rugby again, too.”

A product of the Warrington Wolves academy, Moran went on to feature for Rochdale, Sheffield, Widnes, London and Newcastle before featuring for Oldham last season, where he made his 100th career appearance. Moran brought athleticism to the Oldham forward pack in his 15 appearances, after he signed for the club mid-way through the season.

Meanwhile, Roughyeds have confirmed hooker Matty Wilkinson, second-row Callum Cameron and utility forward Zac Baker will be leaving the club.

Oldham managing director Mike Ford said both Wilkinson and Cameron had been told they would not be retained.

Baker, he added, had initially and verbally accepted the offer of a new contract, but then said he had received a big offer to move to London in his job outside rugby and he couldn’t, therefore, commit to rugby “at this level.”

Said Ford: “We will support Zac in whatever he does, or wherever he goes, We fully understand that work and family come first.”

He thanked all three of them for their hard work and commitment during their time at Oldham.