Oldham Athletic have offered professional contracts to three second-year scholars.

Alfie Atherton, Jesse Williams and Mo Doro have all been offered deals ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Atherton has enjoyed an excellent season, operating mainly as a striker having started as a wide player.

Williams has captained the Under 18s side throughout the campaign in the centre of the defence while left-back Doro has continued his good individual progress this season.

The club's professional development phase lead, Chukwuma Akuneto, who coaches the youth team, said: "I understand that giving out contracts means that there's actually a space to fill. If you have got enough players in the first team there's no point offering five or six contracts.

"I'm happy with three, and they are all deserving of it. They don't hand out gifts in this game."

After the last game of the season, in which Atherton scored in a 3-0 win over Shrewsbury U18s at Boundary Park, the teenager credited Akuneto with the impact he has had on his youth career.

"I think I've done well this season, I've scored a few goals since Chuks started playing me as a striker," he explained.

"I came in as a winger at the start of the second year and he said 'I think you play well as a striker' and I've got a lot of goals and assists to show for it.

"He's worked with me on the movement and where to be. We play with a two (up front) so he's worked with the other striker as well.

"I'm buzzing to finish with a goal."