Amardo Oakley signs with Irish club Athlone Town: “Guelph United will always have a special place in my heart“
Our captain, and staple of the defense since our inaugural season in 2021, Amardo Oakley, is continuing his career in Europe. ‘Oaks’ has signed with Irish First Division club Athlone Town AFC.
Since 2021, Amardo has played in 55 matches for Guelph United, including the League1 Ontario Final in which we won the title in our first season, as well as the high-profile Canadian Championship clash against Halifax Wanderers in 2022. Oakley’s outstanding League1 career has been rewarded by winning the Defender of the Year Award in both 2021 and 2022, as well as being a finalist in 2023; he has also won our own GUFC Player of the Year Awards in 2021 and 2022.
“I want to thank everyone at the club from the bottom of my heart for embracing me and giving me the opportunity to do what I love. I will cherish every moment that I was able to wear the jersey.”
Oakley has played in Europe before signing with Guelph, in the lower divisions of Portugal and Germany. This will be his first Irish experience.
“I feel really good about this transfer, it feels good to be back in Europe doing what I love. My aim was always to get back to the next level wherever the opportunity presented itself. I am beyond excited that the opportunity landed me back in Europe and I am excited about what the future holds”, says Amardo.
Oaks has been in Ireland since early January, and already got the chance to play in two friendly games with his new teammates. He will make his competitive debut next week, in a Leinster Senior Cup match against Longford Town. The Irish First Division begins February 16th, and runs until October.
“My teammates and coaches here in Ireland say that the league is very physical and fast paced. I think the competition week in week out will be a bit more consistent in terms of the level staying the same, however, it is my first time playing in Ireland so I think after a few games into the season I can have a better judgement between the differences between here and back in Canada“.
Oakley’s new club, Athlone Town, has nearly a century and a half of history, being founded in 1887. They have been Irish champions twice, and won the Irish cup once, and the Irish League cup thrice. During those memorable seasons in the 80s, they played 4 times in the European cups, including a memorable 0-0 draw against AC Milan. In more recent years, Athlone Town has played in the second-tier of Irish football. They qualified for the playoffs in 2023, but missed out on promotion. Getting back to the top-tier Irish Premier Division will be the goal for 2024 as well.
“I enjoyed my time at Guelph United. I was there for the inaugural season which gave me some unbelievable memories and life-long friends who I consider family. I spent three seasons there and have experienced every high and low you could possibly think of in regards to sports, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It helped build my character and allowed me to grow both as a person and a player. There is a sense of family and community at Guelph United and that makes it a special club. From the owners, to the staff, all the players and most importantly our beloved fans, I don’t think any other team in League1 has that”
“I want to thank everyone at the club from the bottom of my heart for embracing me and giving me the opportunity to do what I love. I will cherish every moment that I was able to wear the jersey. Massive S/O to the "table" and our physios, they were incredible. Some players/staff may say that I spent a lot of time on the table receiving treatment. Let me make the record straight once and for all. I only received treatment twice per week, one before a training session and usually one before we played a match. Some people at the club would say otherwise and their statement or comments on this matter would be inaccurate (a little inside joke we had within the team, haha). I wish everyone at the club the very best in the upcoming season, I will be watching closely. Guelph United will always have a special place in my heart“.
Thank you, Amardo, for 3 years of passion and dedication for the GUFC colors, and the best of luck in Ireland.