Wigan swoop for Paraguay defender Alcaraz

English Premier League club Wigan agreed a deal to sign Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz from Belgian team Bruges on Friday.

Roberto Martinez’s side negotiated an undisclosed transfer fee for the 27-year-old central defender, who has been a virtual ever-present for Bruges since joining in 2007.

Alcaraz, who has been selected for Paraguay’s provisional World Cup squad, helped Bruges come second in the Belgian League behind Anderlecht this season and Martinez believes he will prove a valuable addition.

“We are thrilled to have been able to capture a player of the calibre of Antolin,” Martinez told Wigan’s website.

“I think everyone will realise what a quality player he is when we see him at the World Cup for Paraguay.

“He is a highly versatile defender with great awareness and distribution and has great pride in keeping clean sheets. He is entering the best period of his career.”