Wigan have announced the signing of Norwegian international
Kristofer Haestad.
The Latics have beaten off the interest of a host of clubs
including Premiership rivals Blackburn to the IK Start
midfielder.
Haestad has joined Wigan on loan with the view to a permanent move
and his arrival follows hot on the heels of the capture of Swedish
defender Andreas Granqvist.
Wigan boss Paul Jewell was delighted to land the promising
midfielder after revealing he was trailing Haestad for some
time.
"We've been watching him for a while now, and I know that there
were other Premiership clubs in the hunt too, so I'm delighted to
have got him on board," Jewell told the club's official
website.
"He's a player who I think has the right attributes to play in this
country. He can play anywhere across the middle, and at 23, he's
exactly the right age to come and test himself in the
Premiership.
"We'll review the situation with Kristofer, and with Andreas, at
the end of the season, but for the time being, I want them both
just to focus on playing for Wigan Athletic for the rest of this
season."
Haestad admitted it was a dream to move to England and he is
excited at the prospect of playing for Wigan
"It is a dream to play in England, and I am grateful to Wigan for
taking the chance on me," said Haestad.
"Now I want to do all I can to repay them and prove that I am good
enough to make it in the best league in the world.
"I know all about Wigan, English football is followed very closely
in Norway, and I know what an ambitious club this is and what a
talented manager they have.
"Now I can't wait to join up with the rest of the team and fight
for my place."