Wigan poised to sign Colombian striker

Colombian international striker Hugo Rodallega looks set to sign for Premiership side Wigan Athletic and provoke more speculation surrounding the futures of Senegal’s Henri Camara and England international Emile Heskey.

The 23-year-old Colombian will cost Wigan 4.5 million pounds from Mexican side Necaxa, for whom he scored 15 times in 36 appearances last season, should he be granted a work permit next week.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce said that the club would be securing the talents of an out and out scorer.

“He’s fast, about 6ft 1in, he’s good in the air, rangy rather than thick-set, can score a goal – just a genuine all-round striker,” said Bruce.

Rodallega said he was prepared for the challenge of a totally different style of football.

“They (Wigan) have a very similar style to all the teams there – fast, strong, tough,” he said. “Considering what I have and what I am going to learn, I will get to a team with a lot of ambition.

“I think you can adapt yourself to all the leagues. If the English league is not the best in the world, it is one of the best. It is a big challenge to me and I am mentally prepared.”

Bruce has moved for a striker because there have been reports Heskey would move during the January transfer window or at least Wigan might try and cash in on him as Heskey, who turns 30 on Sunday, will cost nothing should he stay till the end of the season when his contract runs out.

Camara, a star of Senegal’s run to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals, has played only a bit part role this season and has been linked with a move to relegation-threatened Stoke.

However the 31-year-old insisted that he was still happy at Wigan despite falling down the ladder behind Egyptian leading scorer Amr Zaki and Heskey.

“I am happy to play for Wigan at the moment,” said Camara, who has scored 24 goals in 74 appearances for the club. “My agent has told me that there are clubs in the Premier League and in Europe interested in me.

“Stoke is a good club but I don’t know about any interest from them. I am at Wigan at the moment, my contract will expire in June, so it is normal for there to be speculation. By the end of the month it will be sorted out.”