ATHLETIC today unveiled striker Carlo Corazzin as the final piece in their promotion jigsaw. The Canadian international has signed a three-year contract and arrives on a free transfer from Northampton under the Bosman ruling. Corazzin (28) has 47 caps for Canada and a fine goal-scoring record at second division level. His capture ends a two-year search by manager Andy Ritchie, who has openly sought a proven, experienced centre-forward ever since he took over at Boundary Park. Corazzin signed after jetting in from Panama, where he was playing in a World Cup qualifier, and could be called away up to six times next season. But Athletic have struck a deal with the Canadian authorities and, although the player will continue his international career, he has agreed that club comes before country whenever there is an important league or cup match.

He is expected to miss a maximum of three games next season. Corazzin has been on Ritchie's wanted list for the last 12 months and the Athletic boss is delighted with his capture. He said: "We have been looking for a player of this quality for some time —someone who can finish regularly. "We have played a lot of good football, but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. "I am delighted that the directors have shown their faith in the team by putting together this deal." Corazzin, who stands at 5ft 10ins, began his English league career seven years ago with Cambridge. He then moved to Plymouth and Northampton, keeping up a strike rate which betters a goal every three games. Northampton wanted to re-sign him, but he decided to move on when an agreement couldn't be reached over international commitments.

Although there was interest from other clubs —notably newly-promoted Gillingham — Athletic landed the man they hope will spearhead a push towards the play-offs. Corazzin's arrival means Ritchie has spent his transfer funds, but chairman David Brierley didn't rule out further signings. Mr Brierley said: "Andy works to a budget and we increased it. He has reached it now, but he can do some wheeling and dealing if he wants to strengthen our squad." Corazzin is expected to make his debut in the pre-season friendly at home to Leeds a week on Sunday.

Athletic play Bury tomorrow in the final of the Isle of Man Festival. Team (from): Kelly, Jones, Garnett, Hotte, Adams, Holt, Duxbury, Sheridan, Rickers, Allott, Whitehall, Dudley, Tipton, Boshell, Innes, Miskelly.

ATHLETIC’S match against Bury tomorrow, in the final of the Isle of Man International Festival, is sure to mean more than the average friendly. The two North-West neighbours are not only competing for silverware, they are renewing a rivalry which simmered for the whole of last season. Athletic won the Isle of Man tournament a year ago, only to begin the league campaign with an atrocious run of results. But the visit of Bury — featuring four Boundary Park old boys and managed at the time by Neil Warnock — inspired them to halt the slide with a 2-0 win. The clubs then found themselves in similar league positions and gave a fierce show of local pride when they drew 2-2 at Gigg Lane in March. In Douglas tomorrow, they will aim to get the upper hand before meeting again in league action. They did well to reach the final by topping their groups, with Athletic beating the Isle of Man and first-division Burnley, and Bury seeing off Darlington and highly-rated Stoke.

Oldham’s veteran midfielder Neil Adams hurt his back in training and will take a late fitness test ahead of tomorrow’s final. Boss Andy Ritchie said: ‘‘If there is any doubt he won’t be risked.’’ The Latics won the competition last season and Ritchie added: ‘‘I watched Bury beat Stoke earlier in the week and they are a very organised side. ‘‘It isn’t going to be easy but we came here with the aim of winning the trophy again and we will be going all out to do just that.’’ John Sheridan has shaken off a thigh injury he picked up in last Sunday’s victory over Burnley while influential defender Shaun Garnett has resumed training after receiving a knock to his right knee in the Latics’ victory over the Isle of Man XI

Oldham Athletic have signed Carlo Corazzin from Northampton Town on a three-year contract, report BBC GMR. The Canadian international striker was out of contract at Sixfields after failing to agree new terms with the Cobblers. Oldham manager Andy Ritchie, who has been trailing the 28-year-old for the best part of a year, said: "I first enquired about Carlo last season, but he was out of our range. "I am delighted that the directors have shown their faith in the team by putting together this deal." The deal was sealed two weeks prior to Corazzin flying in from Canada to sign his contract. The former Cambridge United and Plymouth Argyle marksman was the top scorer in each of his three seasons with Northampton and Ritchie will be hoping he can continue his impressive strike rate for the Latics. "We have been looking for a player of this quality for some time, someone who can finish regularly," Ritchie said. "We have played a lot of good football, but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal." Oldham chairman David Brierley said that several other clubs wanted the player who won the Golden Boot during Canada's Concacaf Gold Cup win earlier this year.