KEITH Curle celebrated a ‘high five’ moment as the Latics head coach welcomed his first signings for the club last night.

Striker Hallam Hope, defenders Sam Hart, Jordan Clarke and Harrison McGahey, and goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler make up the quintet who have all penned deals at Boundary Park as Curle looks to build a squad that can challenge at the top end of League Two next season.

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Hope was revealed as a target by The Oldham Times last month, with the striker a free agent following his departure from Swindon Town, and the pair having worked together at Carlisle United.

And his arrival had a domino effect, with a further four signings unveiled last night.

McGahey and Leutwiler have signed two-year deals, with Clarke completing a one-year deal, while Hope and Hart have penned one-year deals with the option of an extension.

Latics report back for pre-season training today, but Hart will be unable to join them until the end of the month once his Southend contract expires, after he turned down the offer of a new one at Roots Hall, following relegation to the National League.

Having conceded the most goals in League Two with 81, Curle has been keen to shore things up at the back, so it is no surprise that the emphasis was placed on the Latics rearguard, with three defenders and a goalkeeper recruited last night.

Curle has been busy in the transfer market since his contract extension at the club was confirmed.

And the influx of new arrivals are the fruits of his labour, with the 57-year-old having scope to add further as he seeks to build a squad of up to 22 players, including the 11 contracted from last season and four Academy proteges offered professional deals.