Ireland underage international Jack Byrne signs permanent deal with Oldham

Ireland underage international Jack Byrne has signed a permanent deal with Oldham Athletic.

The former Manchester City youth player signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Latics on Monday after initially joining the club on a loan deal from Wigan Athletic. Byrne, who was called up to train with the Ireland senior team in 2016, said that he had options to leave the club but that he wanted to stay as a mark of loyalty to manager Richie Wellens. “I’m delighted to be back," Byrne told the club's official website. "I pushed for it as well and I’m grateful to the club for the opportunity to come back so hopefully we can have a good second half to the season. “I had other options but I felt as if I owed Richie some loyalty as well because him and John Sheridan took me in the summer. “I owe the club a bit of loyalty and hopefully some good performances in the second half of the season can pay that back.” Byrne had missed the last two games for the club as he took time out to plan his next move but added that he looks forward to rejoining his teammates for the club's trip to Peterborough on Saturday. “I learned a lot about English football and I’m still learning,” he said. “I’m only 21 years of age and I’ve signed a two-and-a-half year deal so hopefully I can settle here and keep my head down, playing well and hopefully the club goes the way it wants to go. “It’s an exciting time with the takeover and I’m glad to be a part of it. I missed waking up on Saturday mornings without a game and it could have dragged on a couple of more weeks but I’m happy it’s sorted now. “I’m looking forward to getting back out there and playing with the boys.”