Oldham’s sponsor Verlin Rainwater Solutions severed ties with the club yesterday over the imminent signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans.

The move by Verlin all but confirms that Evans will return to football just months after being released from prison after serving half of a five-year sentence behind bars for the rape of a 19-year-old in a hotel in Rhyl, north Wales.

It is believed that the striker will earn up to £2,500 a week.