McEvilly makes Dale switch permanent

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Lee McEvilly

Lee McEvilly has made his move from Cambridge United to Rochdale permanent by signing an 18 month contract to extend his stay at Spotland.

The striker has been on loan with Dale for a month in what is his third spell at the club and his two goals on Boxing Day helped Dale come from behind to beat Shrewsbury.

The 26-year old made the step into league football by signing for Dale from Burscough in December 2001. He scored 27 goals in his three year stay before moving to Accrington Stanley in 2004. He returned to the Rochdale ranks last season, on loan from Stanley, scoring three goals in seven appearances.

McEvilly was Cambridge's top scorer this season before he came to Dale on loan unexpectedly last month.