Oldham Athletic have sold captain Korey Smith to Sky Bet League One rivals Bristol City for an undisclosed fee.
Smith’s sale comes in the wake of the departure of central midfield partner James Wesolowski who has joined League Two Shrewsbury Town as a free agent.
It means Latics will start the new season without last season’s two key midfield players.
The 23-year-old Smith, who captained Latics last season, made 62 appearances for the club scoring two goals.
Smith initially signed for Latics on loan from Norwich City towards the end of the 2012/13 season making 10 appearances.
He signed permanently last summer following his release by the Canaries and played 52 games in the season just ended.
Smith scored two goals for Latics, the latter against Leyton Orient in March being voted the club’s goal of the season.