Football: Goalkeeper Jay Lynch joins Rochdale

26-year-old Jay Lynch has penned a two-year deal with the club

Goalkeeper Jay Lynch, 26, who came through the ranks at Manchester United, has signed a two-year deal with Rochdale AFC.

The majority of his appearances have come during successful spells at Salford City and AFC Fylde. He has most recently spent two seasons at the Coasters and was offered a new deal by the National League side this summer but turned it down to pursue opportunities in the EFL.

After putting pen to paper, Lynch said: “I’m delighted to have joined the club on a two-year deal.

“At this stage of my career, it was the right time for me to make the step up from the National League to league football.

“I’ve trained with the group for a couple of weeks now and I have loved the place and the people since I’ve been here. There is a good group of players at the club.

“I've also been impressed with the style of play. The team has started the season really well and the players have taken that into training so confidence is high.”

Manager, Brian Barry-Murphy, commented: “I felt that I had a responsibility to implement a clear long-term plan for the future of the club, and Jay offers us that in every capacity.

“He has been in training with the group for a while. I wasn’t able to make a commitment to him early on in that training period, but the way it’s developed, he has been so impressive in everything he has done, that it’s something I couldn’t let pass. I think I would have had a lot of regrets if I had.

“It’s the right move for the club and it gives us a definite plan going forward with what we’re going to look like in our goalkeeping department.”