Dean Furman has opted to reject a contract from Oldham Athletic, whom he had been on trial with since the beginning of pre-season, as reported by the Oldham Times.

Furman is no stranger to Boundary Park, having already made 131 appearances across a four year spell panning from 2009 to 2013, and is even a former captain of the Latics. However, the South African international has made the decision not to return to his former club.

The 33-year-old was with fellow League Two side Carlisle United last season, where he made 14 appearances in Chris Beech's side before his one-year contract inevitably came to a conclusion.

Born in Cape Town, Furman has been a regular throughout Oldham's pre-season, but a disagreement on the offer on the table has caused the midfielder to look elsewhere.

Speaking to the Oldham Times, Latics manager Keith Curle discussed the situation, saying: "We got pressurised, not pressurised but we got asked by his agent. He had a few other offers on the table and we understood that. We made him an offer and in his opinion, their opinion – him and the agent – he thought potentially he'd be able to get a better offer elsewhere.

"It's one of those. I wish him well, great lad, great professional but every player's got a price and what may be offered elsewhere might be just out of our reach."

The verdict

A disappointing conclusion with Furman, who could've been an excellent asset to Curle's plans in the season, whether if that was a starter role or as an option off of the bench. With his experiences and his knowledge of the club from his previous stint, Furman would've been a signing to excite fans, as a creative midfielder to break up the play and propel an attack, something Oldham lacked last season.