O’Keefe to enter fourth year with Oldham
Ben O’Keefe is the latest Oldham player to commit his future to the club after signing a contract extension until the end of 2027, with the option of a further year.
The centre is one of the club’s longest-serving current players and said he had no hesitation about entering into a fourth season with Oldham.
"It was quite an easy decision for me to re-sign,” he said. “I’ve made some great memories and built some really good relationships in my time at the club.
I’m really looking forward to continuing that journey and hopefully creating plenty more special moments.
Killer (Alan Kilshaw) is a great coach and I feel like he gives me the freedom to play my game.
Hopefully next year we will see even more of that. This year has been great, but we were all disappointed with how it finished, so hopefully we can use that as motivation next year.”
O’Keefe is one of only four players remaining from Roughyeds’ title-winning campaign, alongside Owen Farnworth, Ted Chapelhow and Matty Wildie.
The former Rochdale man joined Oldham as a 21-year-old and has continued to develop since.
He made 20 appearances this season – the most he has made in a single campaign during his career – and played an important role in Roughyeds’ best league finish since 1997.
And O’Keefe is targeting silverware next year, adding to the League One trophy lifted back in 2024.
“I think we should be aiming to win the competition,” he added.
With the players we’ve already got, and the quality of the players we’re bringing in, I don’t see any reason why we can’t challenge for it
Hopefully everything comes together and we can bring some silverware back to Oldham”
Head coach Alan Kilshaw said:
“Ben has got a real bit of flair about him and can produce things not many players can,” he added.
After a couple of injuries this year, the way he fought his way back into the team and finished the season was a credit to him.
He was a big player for us when it mattered, and we’re delighted to have him back for 2027.”