Wigan Athletic have signed Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson for a fee in the region of £2 million, according to the clubs official website.
The official website for Wigan unvieled the signing, confirming that the 23-year-old has joined the club after completing a medical and putting pen to paper for a 3-and-a-half-year deal.
Latics boss Steve Bruce has reportedly been a keen admirer of the Coca-Cola championship midfielder for some time, and had to fight of stiff competition from other Premiership clubs to sign the youngster with Middlesbrough also keen to sign the midfielder.
Bruce told the club’s website: “We have been watching Ben for some time and believe he has the maturity to step back to the highest level and make an impression.
“He’s a midfielder who scores goals. He’s got quick feet, plenty of power and is a terrific prospect. I wanted to move quickly to start filling the gap left by Wilson Palacios and Ben is the start of that process.”
“It speaks volumes about the progress of the club that we can compete with established Premier League clubs for players and I am delighted that Ben has agreed to join us. I think our supporters will take to him quickly because he’s a real hundred percenter.”
Meanwhile Watson is keen to make an impression at the club, citing Steve Bruce and Premiership football for leaving Selhurst Park.
Watson told the website: “It’s great to be back in the Premier League. Steve Bruce is the big pull here, it’s a great time to be joining the club and I’m joining a team who are 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.
“I just can’t wait to meet everyone and get started now,” he concluded.
Ben Watson appeared for Crystal Palace 170 since his debut in 2003. He has one season of Premier League experience during the club’s 2004-05 campaign.
Source: www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co.uk
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