RYAN BRIERLEY has signed for Oldham on a two-and-a-half-year deal following his exit from Salford Red Devils.
The Red Devils captain arrives in a double deal with former Salford prop Jack Ormondroyd, with both players in line to make their Roughyeds debuts in Sunday’s Championship clash against Barrow at Boundary Park.
The 33-year-old has played 95 games for Salford altogether and has also had spells at Leigh Leopards, Huddersfield Giants and Toronto Wolfpack.
Following Salford’s financial issues, Brierley has been snapped up by Oldham – and is excited by the potential of the Championship club.
Brierley told Roughyeds TV: “The ambition that Mike Ford (managing director), Bill Quinn (chairman) and Longy (head coach Sean Long) have for this club is pretty special. Watching from afar it has been admirable to see.
I have come to win. I want to win. Look at the stadium and the good things happening here. Hopefully we get this club back to where it belongs.”
Head coach Sean Long said: “Jack and Ryan bring experience, leadership and they are good people.
“Brierley has the X factor. He is a poacher who can score a try from anywhere. If we make a half break then with him in the side it will be game over.”
Quinn added: “These calibre of signings show what this club is all about.
“We are putting on something here at Oldham. We are not just going to knock on the door of Super League, we are going to kick on the door.”
Brierley also addressed his reluctant departure from boyhood club Salford in a message to their supporters.
He said: “I’ve lived my childhood dream by representing Salford Red Devils. It’s all I ever wanted: to wear the badge, play for this city, and give everything I had for this club.
“Furthermore, to have been given the honour of captaining Salford is something I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life. No one can ever take that away from me.
“This season has been incredibly tough, mentally, emotionally and physically. It’s been the most difficult period of my career, and I’ve done everything I can to keep going, to stay strong, to keep believing in better days ahead.
“Despite everything, I stayed in the hope that things would turn a corner. I stayed out of loyalty, out of love for the club, and out of belief in what we could still build.
“But sometimes, no matter how much you care, you reach a point where something has to give, for your own wellbeing, and for those around you.
“Making the decision to leave has broken my heart, but I know it’s the right one for the club and myself at this moment in time. I find peace in the fact that the club will benefit, even if it is just for the short term.
“I want to say a massive thank you to Paul King, Paul Rowley and his staff, the backroom team, office staff and especially my teammates, who’ve been my brothers through some of the darkest times this year.
“And finally, to the fans. You are everything. You’ve made me feel like one of your own from day one. You’ve supported me and my family through the highs and the lows, and I hope you feel I gave you all I had in return.
“Your belief in me has meant more than words can ever express. You’ve given me everything I ever dreamed of.
“This is goodbye for now. I leave with a heavy heart, full of love and gratitude, but I’ll always carry Salford with me. I’ll be praying this club gets back to where it belongs.
“Thank you for letting me live the dream. Forever, Salford.”