The experienced attacking player joins the Club on a deal until the end of the season.
Paterson, who has made over 350 appearances in the Championship, commented:
“I’m excited. It seems like a really good group.
“I had some conversations with the gaffer and I was really enjoying what he was saying. I love the way that he plays and I’m excited to play in it.
“I spoke to Flinty [Aden Flint] beforehand, and he spoke highly of the gaffer, and I’m just looking to enjoy it now.”
Head Coach Ian Watson notes the opportunity to bring Jamie in is one Dale couldn’t pass up.
“Jamie is an amazing signing for us,” Watson explained.
“His career speaks for itself, and he suits us technically for what we’re looking for in a player.
“We know he’s played a lot higher than this, so we feel like it’s really big for us. It’s at a time that we really need it, with us having limited bodies available, and he’s ready to come in and play.
“It’s great to have him here and we look forward to seeing his impact on the team.”
Coventry-born Paterson came through the ranks at Manchester United from the age of nine to 16.
Following that, the now 34-year-old made his senior professional debut with Walsall in 2010. He went on to make over 100 appearances for the Saddlers, scoring 16 times.
Paterson completed a first move to the second tier in 2013 with Nottingham Forest, with the highlight scoring a 14-minute FA Cup hat-trick against West Ham United, before a loan move to Huddersfield Town after two seasons.
In the summer of 2016, Jamie signed a three-year deal at Bristol City and scored his first goal against former employers Forest in the October. The Robins is where he spent the majority of his career, which included a short loan stint at Derby County.
He was part of the Bristol City side that reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals, defeating Manchester United on the way, before exiting the tournament to Manchester City in 2018 over two legs.
After 150 outings, the forward headed to Wales with Swansea City, adding another 100 Championship appearances to his name in three seasons. Dean Smith, who coached Jamie in the early days at Walsall, secured his services again in the United States of America with Charlotte FC two years ago.
He then began training with his boyhood club Coventry City and was offered a deal in February 2025. Paterson had to bide his time, but this came to fruition with a memorable 94th minute winner against Portsmouth at the ground where he held a season ticket in his younger years.
‘Patto’ joins Dale off the back of a season in League One with newly-relegated Plymouth Argyle.
He will wear the number 35 shirt in the blue and white. Welcome to the COA, Jamie!
Subject to the relevant FA and EFL clearances.
OUR OFFICIAL EFL SQUAD LIST
1 Adebayo-Rowling, Tobi
2 Adeeko, Baba
3 Beckwith, Sam
4 Bilongo, Bryant
5 Dieseruvwe, Mani
6 East, Ryan
7 Ebanks-Landell, Ethan
8 Flint, Aden
9 Francis, Ed
10 Gilmour, Harvey
11 Hannant, Luke
12 Hayes, Cian
13 Henderson, Ian
14 Maguire, Laurence
15 Middleton, Glenn
16 Moss, Dan
17 Paterson, Jamie
18 Pettit, Casey
19 Rodney, Devante
20 Sherring, Sam
21 Smith, Jonny
UNDER-21 CONTRACTED PLAYERS
1 Brown, Dajaune
2 Ramming, Nils
3 Silcott-Duberry, Zain
4 Spaven, Jake
5 Tasker, Charlie
6 Taylor, Kane
7 Wilson, Kaiden
As per EFL Squad List rules, Sam Waller is registered as a contracted goalkeeper and therefore does not need to be included in the official list.
A decision on Will Jenkins’ registration for the 2026/27 season will be made in the coming months.
