Sam Clucas may have departed Oldham Athletic for the Imps, but their local press has revealed a little more about the switch.
It’s reported we triggered a release clause in his contract allowing him to join a League One club (or higher) if a move was made. Despite efforts by the Latics to retain him with a new and improved offer, the 34-year-old midfielder opted for a return to the club where his career began.
A Short but Impactful Stay at Boundary Park
Clucas joined Oldham in late October as a free agent after being released by Rotherham in the summer. During his brief stint, the former Hull City, Swansea City, and Stoke City player made nine appearances, providing three assists, including one on his debut in an FA Cup first-round win against Tranmere Rovers.
Oldham Athletic issued a statement regarding Clucas’s departure, and there’s an interesting snippet in there. They said:
“The club has exhausted all avenues during our negotiations in trying to keep Sam, but despite the offer of a new and improved contract it became apparent that the lure of returning to his hometown club and future opportunities beyond playing football were too great.”
The interesting bit is ‘future opportunities beyond playing football’. Does this hint at a coaching role for Sam? We’re all focused on what he will bring in terms of experience to our younger players, but should we also be looking at what the likes of Chris Cohen and Michael Skubala might be able to do for him?
Sam Clucas
Starting at Leicester City’s academy, Clucas was released as a teenager and had to find another way forward. After spells at Nettleham and Lincoln College, he joined the Imps on a one-year deal. He played just once, against Darlington, before being released by Chris Sutton and joining the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain.
His professional career began properly with Hereford United in 2011, where he impressed with his versatility. After Hereford’s financial troubles, he moved to Mansfield Town in 2013, where he caught the eye with his dynamic performances. A switch to Chesterfield in 2014 helped him showcase his growing ability, contributing to their League One playoff push.
Clucas’s rise continued with a move to Hull City in 2015, where he became one of the few players to climb from the National League to the Premier League in successive seasons. He played a key role in the Tigers’ promotion to the Premier League, proving his worth with consistent performances. His time at Hull cemented his reputation as a hardworking, versatile midfielder. Following Hull’s relegation, he joined Swansea City in 2017, where he continued to shine, scoring key goals against some of the Premier League’s biggest teams.
In 2018, he moved to Stoke City, where he enjoyed a strong stint as a key midfielder, combining goals, leadership, and relentless work rate. After leaving Stoke in 2023, Clucas signed with Rotherham United, where he contributed with his experience and versatility. In October, he joined Oldham Athletic, returning to the National League for a short spell.
Conclusion
There’s plenty to think about around this move. Will he make an impact on the first team? Or are we seeing a player return at the end of his career to step into coaching and possibly management? It will certainly be interesting to see what our returning prodigal son will do now he’s an Imp once again.
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