FORMER Latics favourite Jose Baxter has thanked ex-Oldham managers Paul Dickov and Paul Scholes for the role they played in his career, after announcing his retirement at the age of 29.

The forward came through the youth ranks at Everton before moving on to Latics in July 2012.

After scoring 15 goals in 45 games he was sold to Sheffield United just over 12 months later. But Baxter was suspended twice in nine months by Blades and was ultimately released in the summer of 2016.

Following a year out of the game he returned to Everton on a free transfer to try to rebuild his career where it began. And history repeated itself when he rejoined Oldham in July 2018, going on to make 34 appearances, scoring four goals.

He moved on to Plymouth at the end of that season, but has now called time on his career.

Baxter took to Instagram to make the announcement.

His statement reads: "I write this today with lots of mixed emotions. But let me tell you about my roller coaster career.

"From being a kid from council estate with dreams like everyone else. I set myself 4 goals/dreams at 13. I managed to tick 3 off by 20. Last one I never got to do..

"From playing in Premier league, Europa league, captaining country at youth level, scoring at Wembley in FA Cup semi finals to playing hundreds of league games, travelling the world playing football and still sit here feeling down and I underachieved.

"But my own silly mistakes got in the way and 3 years out of the game at 21 coming back with my body never being the same was always an uphill battle.

"I would like to thank every person who's been a part of my journey. From my coaches at Everton (Tosh, Robbie, Lloydu, Martin etc) as a kit to my first loan manager to every manager I had (Les Parry, Paul Dickov, Paul Scholes, Nigel Adkins, Nigel Clough, David Moyes, Ryan Lowe), every set of fans I played for (Everton, Tranmere, Sheffield United, Oldham, Plymouth, Memphis901) and mostly my family and friends who stuck by me through the bad times as well as the good.

"So if I could say some words my 13 year old self who had them dreams it would be YOU LIVED IT SON."