Wanderers made McAtee one of their major summer signings of 2024 when they landed the forward from Luton Town on a three-year deal.

The move meant a return to the North-West for the Salford-born player, who had spent the previous two seasons on loan at Grimsby Town and Barnsley, who he helped reach the League One play-off final with a semi-final victory over Wanderers in May, 2024.

McAtee weighed in with 11 League One goals and 12 in total in his first season for the Whites who added Wanderers to earlier spells at Shrewsbury Town and Scunthorpe United on his CV.

From a prolific sporting family, John’s brother James plays for Manchester City, while their father – also called John – was a professional rugby league player.