Josh Bell has signed a one year professional contract with Athletic. The 18 year old keeper had been told that he would be offered terms and he had no hesitation in signing when the players returned for pre-season training. He worked his way through the Latics youth teams and became a regular at reserve team level last season. He was also substitute the first team on several occasions but will probably be third in line behind Mark Crossley and recent Gretna signing Greg Fleming.