With the transfer deadline closing in, Rochdale have made their first signing of the day in the form of Toby Mullarkey from Altrincham.

The 27-year-old centre-back joins for an undisclosed fee until the summer of 2024. There is a one-year option in the clubs favour.

Mullarkey started his career at Crewe Alexandra but failed to establish himself there and headed out on loan to Leek Town before signing for Nantwich Town where he spent a couple of years. He moved to Altrincham in the summer of 2019 and has gone on to make 95 appearances, scoring 10 goals if Soccerbase is correct.

He was vice-captain at Altrincham and has attracted quite a lot of EFL interest with Portsmouth linked with him in the summer and more recently Grimsby.

He's been given Craig Dawson's old squad number 26 so no pressure Toby.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters