Wigan Athletic have confirmed Marc Antoine Fortune has joined the club on a free transfer from West Brom.
The North West outfit is the tenth club of the striker’s professional career, and he arrives at the Latics on the back of three years at West Bromwich Albion.
The 32-year old forward attracted interest from several clubs however Owen Coyle has managed to persuade Fortune that Wigan is the right club for him.
Owen Coyle said of his latest acquisition: “To bring a player of such calibre to the football club is a great piece of business.
“He’s shown his qualities at the very highest level, and when I spoke to Steve Clarke at West Brom he told me how he didn’t want to lose him.
“It goes to show how important he has been at his former club and is proof that he has the capabilities to be a Premier League forward, never mind a Championship one.”
Fortune is Wigan’s sixth summer signing, the transfer window only officially opened on July 1, and the clubbing are making clear their intentions for the season heading into the Championship campaign.
Fortune joins a list of new signings including Scott Carson, James Perch and Stephen Crainey.
Chairman Dave Whelan is fully supporting new manager Owen Coyle as the club look to bounce back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.
Wigan also announced the appointment of four new members of staff.
Sandy Stewart will take the role of assistant manager having worked closely with Coyle at Bolton Wanderers, Burnley and St. Johnstone, whilst former Latics keeper Phil Hughes becomes the new goalkeeping coach.
Andy Mitchell has been appointed as head physiotherapist with James Barrow joining the medical team as strength and conditioning coach.
Coyle said: “It was so important that we brought in the right personnel to take up key roles at the club and I’m delighted to bring in people who have proven themselves at the highest level and who I trust completely.
“I know they’ll come here and do everything in their power to bring success to Wigan Athletic, and I can’t ask any more than that.”
All four of the new recruits worked with Coyle in his time at Bolton Wanderers.
With Coyle quickly shaping a squad and backroom team in his own eyes, the club will be targeting further success following their FA cup win last season.
Despite the disappointment of relegation after eight years in the top flight, chairman Whelan is showing a renewed determination to cement the club’s position in the upper echelons of English football.
The 76-year-old purchased Charnock Richard golf club this week with a view to turning it into the clubs new first team and academy training ground.
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