Transfer News: Declan Evans to join Southport

Following an approach and productive discussions with National League club Southport, we can now announce that Declan Evans will be joining the Sandgrounders on a permanent basis, remaining on loan at Seel Park until the end of the season.

Dec has been in superb form this campaign scoring ten goals from the heart of defence, with scouts flocking to see him in action.

Having progressed through the youth set up at Rochdale, Dec joined us from Chorley in 2017 and is now approaching 150 appearances for the Lilywhites at the age of only 22, scooping numerous club accolades along the way.

On Dec’s departure Manager David Fish said:

“No team would ever want to lose a player like Dec, but I feel that this is a good move for him and validation for what we are trying to achieve as a club.

“Since I joined in Summer 2020, Dec has been superb. Everybody can see what a talented player he is, but what people don’t see is his development as a leader, his voice in the dressing room and his desire to win every drill in every training session.

“Other clubs have approached us for Dec almost every week over the past 18 months, many offering him sums we can’t match right now. The fact he’s stayed shows his commitment to the club and belief in what we are developing.

“I have said to him and others in the squad that their next move should be to a National League club and therefore I’m delighted that Dec’s loyalty has been rewarded. I have no doubt that he is ready to step up to that level and will be as good a player for Southport as he has been for Mossley.

“I’d like to thank Liam Watson and Southport for the way they have conducted themselves throughout this process. It’s easy at this level to make a seven day approach and speak directly with the player. Liam called me before he did that and spoke to me throughout. Liam has also been very amenable in allowing Dec to rejoin us on loan until the end of the season, something Dec also viewed as an essential part of any deal.

“Dec will leave in the summer with my well wishes and I hope this deal shows players what we are able to offer as a club.”

As a club we’re incredibly proud to have played a major part in Dec’s development. Having received numerous offers from other clubs he’s shown loyalty to us, performed consistently on the pitch and been a credit to himself and his family off it.

We wish Dec nothing but the best and look forward to seeing him back at Seel Park for the rest of the season.