Charlie Wyke joined Latics on a three-year deal last summer after scoring 31 goals in all competitions for Sunderland AFC. Wyke started his career in the academy of his hometown club Middlesborough and progressed through the system. He impressed at every age group due to his goal-scoring ability, and signed his first professional contract in May 2011. Following loan spells at Kettering Town, Hartlepool United, and AFC Wimbledon, Wyke made a permanent move to Carlisle United where he scored 39 goals in a two-year spell before joining Bradford City. Wyke was an instant hit with the Bantams as he scored 23 goals in 62 games before moving to the Stadium of Light in the summer of 2018. The forward made over a century of appearances during his three-year spell with Sunderland, with his final season in Wearside being the most prolific in his career to date, Wyke netted an impressive 31 times during the 2020-21 season, picking up the PFA Fans Player of the Month award for March as recognition for his performances, as well as winning Sunderland Supporters' Player of the Year award.  He was the first player to score 30 goals in a single season for the Black Cats since Kevin Phillips in 1999/2000. Wyke made his debut for Leam Richardson's side against his former club Sunderland on the opening day of the 2021/22 campaign, before scoring five goals in 15 appearances as Latics went on to clinch the League One title.