Wigan sign Ivorian defender

January 12, 2010

Premier League Wigan Athletic have signed Ivory Coast international defender Steven Gohouri on a free transfer. The 28 year-old impressed Latic’s boss Roberto Martinez during a trial at the DW Stadium and has signed a contract until the end of the season.

Gohouri left German Bundesliga team Borussia Moenchengladbach in December after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent. Latics boss Roberto Martinez thinks the defender will bring experience to his defence.

Martinez told the clubs official website: “Steven has a fantastic attitude and is desperate to play for Wigan Athletic,”

“He has good experience, having played in several European leagues and in what has been a very difficult period for clubs because of the weather interrupting the training routines, he has gone about his business very professionally and shown us he has the potential to play in the best league in the world.

“He is a tremendous athlete, very powerful in the air, strong in the tackle and technically excellent. He will add serious competition for places in the squad and I am delighted to welcome him into the Wigan Athletic family.”

Gohouri said: “I am so grateful that Wigan have given me a chance to prove myself and I am desperate to repay that faith and show the manager, the club, and the supporters that they have made a good choice.

“There is a lot of quality in the squad but it’s up to me now to force my way into the team and make an impression.”