Eurosport - Thu, 02 Jul 16:54:00 2009
Wigan have signed midfielder Hendry Thomas from Honduran club Deportivo Olimpia on a three-year contract, subject to international clearance.
The 24-year-old was due to join the club last summer but his move was turned down as he did not meet the work permit criteria because he had not played enough games for his country. However, that situation has now improved and a deal was agreed a couple of months ago between the clubs, with the player now passing a medical and agreeing terms.
Thomas is technically the signing of former manager Steve Bruce, who identified the player over a year ago, and even when he left to take charge at Sunderland the Latics were keen to push the deal through at the second attempt.
A number of clubs were alerted to his availability after Wigan's failed bid 12 months ago but new manager Roberto Martinez is pleased the player has shown loyalty to the Latics.
"Everyone knows how well Wilson and Maynor have done in the Premier League and it is no wonder there was lots of interest in Hendry, who comes from the same club as those two and has impressed," he said. "What happened last season here was a shame but the player now has the chance to prove himself over here.
"He is a powerful figure in midfield, who can sit in front of the back four and destroy attacks, or can also come forward and score. He is a player the club has worked really hard to secure these past months, with representatives from here travelling over to Honduras to meet with him and broker the deal - and all that hard work has paid off now."
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With regards to Freddy Shepherd. Some idiots are saying "better the devil you know." I'm not having it. The Toon are still trying to recover from the Shepherd era. Ashley was just part of the disease. The infestation began under Shepherd. Shepherd left this club, I hate to say it - but here goes, with a serious cancer. I said at the beggining of last season that NUFC may need to spend some time in the Championship to recover from the critically flawed miss management of Shepherd and Souness. And the transfer policy of Allardice. Barton and Smith etc
It might hurt, but the Championship is probably the place we need to be order to cut the rot out of the Toon and to re - invigorate ourselves. We'll be back. All we need is on owner with intellect and integrity. The club is big enough to generate the resources needed to get back into the top strata. You look at the Wigan's, Hull's and Bolton's of this world. If they had our recent history to deal with, they'd be gone. People are interested because we represent good business. With the right strategy - the Toon represents a winner...
wigan have been shafted by bruce....
I am a man city fan and thought you had a really strong team.. now the rats are deserting, you have my sympathy
Good place for all big and tall singles, please check: ---Tallconnect Co M ---- ,More fun waiting for you...
Martinez talking about loyalty?!?!? hahahahaha!
Why do footballers have 2 had played 4 there country so many times before they can come play here, and pay thousands of pounds in taxes every week, yet all these other bums from other countrys can just walk in via dover and we pay them, give them houses etc.....
Ha ha. Your right dark soul
He looks like a darker version of Obama
Guess that opens the door for Scharner or Brown to go.... It will be sad to see us lose Scharner though
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