Wigan Athletic have completed the permanent purchase of Antonio Valencia from Villarreal for an undisclosed fee while Rennes's Sweden left-back Erik Edman will join for £500,000.

Ecuador winger Valencia, who has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Latics, originally joined on loan from the Liga outfit in summer 2006. Edman is set to put his signature on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Valencia has international clearance to play until the end of 2008, but the club anticipate no problems in securing this for the remainder of his contract.

"I knew about him before I came to the club," manager Steve Bruce, who took over in late November, told the club's official website.

"But having seen him at close quarters I now realise just how good he is. To get him signed permanently was one of my priorities.

"He is the sort of player who I believe can play a big role in the Premier League future of this club. He has pace, trickery, is as strong as an ox and has a great work ethic, plus he's a really likeable boy."

Bruce was just as happy to have bagged former Spurs player Edman, who finally solves the left-back problem after Leighton Baines's summer departure to Everton.

"Kevin [Kilbane] has filled in and done a really good job," he said. "But if I can bring in an experienced player like Erik, that gives me the option of pushing Kevin up the pitch and helps the situation.

"So I'm delighted to get him because it's not often you can get a Sweden international with 55 caps under his belt for the sort of money we've paid."

Valencia revealed his happiness at his long-term transfer to Lancashire.

"I am really happy that this has been sorted out," he said. "I have always wanted to play in England and now that Wigan have given me the chance, I am happy to repay them by staying here.

"The Premier League is a fantastic place to play and I have really enjoyed working with Steve Bruce.

"You can see how the team is motivated now and I think he will be successful here in the seasons to come.

Wigan have also added Maynor Figueroa and Wilson Palacios to their ranks this month.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport