Oldham Athletic have confirmed the signing of attacking midfielder Josh Hawkes on a two-year deal.
The 26-year-old arrives following his departure from Tranmere Rovers and becomes part of Micky Mellon’s rebuild ahead of Latics’ return to the Football League.
Latics Land Creative Midfielder With Goalscoring Record
Hawkes joins Oldham with over 190 career appearances to his name, including a productive three-and-a-half seasons at Prenton Park. The creative midfielder struck 26 goals in 134 outings for Tranmere after joining in January 2022, having previously spent time at Sunderland and Hartlepool United.
His arrival marks another statement of intent from manager Mellon, who is tasked with guiding Oldham back up the EFL ladder after promotion from the National League. Speaking to the club’s official channels, Mellon said:
“Josh is exactly the sort of player we’ve been targeting, someone with goal threat, creativity and knows the level well. He’s entered his prime, and I’m confident he’ll add real quality to our midfield and get the fans out of their seats.”
Hawkes himself appears motivated by the direction Oldham are taking.
“Boundary Park has a great atmosphere and a real ambition to climb the leagues, which was a huge factor in me signing. I want to bring energy, creativity and goals from out wide, and help the team push up the table and match the ambitions the coaching staff have.”
The attacking midfielder first broke through at Hartlepool United, where he graduated from the youth academy and made his senior debut in 2016/17. Across four seasons, he made 61 league appearances and netted 12 goals before earning a move to Sunderland in 2020. Though opportunities were limited at the Stadium of Light, he continued to develop before joining Tranmere permanently.
With Mellon now overseeing a partial squad rebuild, Hawkes becomes one of several new arrivals aiming to establish Oldham as a competitive force in League Two. His ability to contribute goals from midfield could prove vital as the Latics look to adapt quickly to the rigours of the fourth tier.
Oldham’s summer business is ongoing, but the addition of Hawkes reflects a clear commitment to signing players with proven experience and end product at this level.
Writer’s View
This is a really smart signing for Oldham. Hawkes has been consistently productive in League Two and brings a genuine attacking threat from midfield—a trait not always easy to find. Mellon knows what the division demands and seems to be assembling a squad full of purpose and know-how.
After so many years of chaos and underachievement, the structure now forming at Boundary Park feels more stable. Hawkes fits the profile of someone who can help anchor that progress on the pitch. If Oldham hit the ground running, he’ll be one of the driving forces behind it.