Rodallega seals Latics switch
Wigan boss Steve Bruce is convinced Hugo Rodallega will be “a big player” for the club after finally completing a £4.5m move for the Colombia striker.
Rodallega was granted a work permit last week and, after flying in on Thursday, has now passed a medical and agreed personal terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
The transfer is subject to international clearance, but that should be a formality as Rodallega has scored six goals in 21 appearances for his country.
The Latics are hoping to gain the necessary clearance in time for the 23-year-old, signed from Mexican club Necaxa, to be included in the squad for Wednesday's JJB Stadium clash with Liverpool.
Bruce, though, is just happy to finally have Rodallega on board as he said: “This is great news for us.
“It has taken a while to get all the paperwork completed on what has been quite a complicated transfer, but I’m relieved it’s all been finalised.
“I believe this lad can be as big a success in this country as some of our other imports.
“He is strong and quick, with an eye for goal and I am convinced he can adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League."
Rodallega, who scored 25 goals in 52 games for Necaxa, is eager to prove himself in English football’s top flight.
“To play in the Premier League is a dream come true,” he said.
“Now I want to show Steve and all the Wigan fans they have made a good choice.”
On a busy day for Wigan, Bruce has also snapped up midfielder Ben Watson for £2m from Crystal Palace.
Watson, who at one stage appeared poised to join Middlesbrough, has cited Bruce as the critical factor in his decision to move to the north-west rather than the north-east.
“It’s great to be back in the Premier League,” said Watson, who made the last of his 21 appearances in the top flight just under four years ago.
“Steve Bruce is the big pull here, and it’s a great time to be joining the club and a team who are really flying.
“I want to thank everyone at Palace, and all the supporters, because they have been great to me.
“But this is a terrific opportunity for me to play in the top flight again and I just felt the time was right for a move for me.”
For Bruce, Watson is the first step along the road towards filling the void vacated by Wilson Palacios, who last week joined Spurs in a deal worth around £14m.
“I am delighted Ben has agreed to join us," Bruce said. I think our supporters will take to him quickly because he’s a real 100-percenter.”
