Striker Grant Holt has joined Wigan from Norwich on a three-year deal.
The news that Holt's switch for an undisclosed fee had been completed
was announced by the two clubs simultaneously this evening on their
respective official websites.
Regarding the capture of the 32-year-old, Wigan boss Owen Coyle told
www.wiganlatics.co.uk: "This is a fantastic piece of business for us at a
really good price.
"Grant is a proven goal-scorer at every level and he will definitely
bring something new to the table that we were missing in the squad."
Holt, who was the Norwich club captain, scored 78 goals in 168 appearances for the Carrow Road outfit in all competitions.
He joined them from Shrewsbury in 2009 and helped them achieve
back-to-back promotions in his first two seasons that took them from
League One to the Premier League.
He will wear the number nine shirt for Wigan, who were relegated from
the top flight last season, and is the seventh signing Coyle has made
since he was appointed the club's new manager last month following
Roberto Martinez's defection to Everton.
Coyle added: "There is already a great buzz about the place since the
new boys have started coming through the door and this is another one
that will really lift the place.
"He's been a hero to the fans at every club he's been at and I know the
Norwich fans are sad to see him go, he's been one of the icons of their
success in recent years. But now it's the Wigan fans' turn to enjoy him
and we're all delighted he's coming on board."
Norwich's statement about Holt's move said: "Norwich City would like to
thank Grant for his outstanding contribution to the club and wish him
the very best in the next stage of his career."
Goalkeeper Scott Carson and striker Marc-Antoine Fortune are among the other new players to have arrived at Wigan this summer.
Confirmation of the Holt deal has come on the same day that frontman
Arouna Kone's transfer from the Latics to Everton was announced.
Norwich boss Chris Hughton told www.canaries.co.uk: "Grant was an
important part of what we managed to achieve in the Barclays Premier
League last season.
"Of course before I came to the club (last summer) I was very aware of
the magnificent job he had already done in the three years prior to that
as well. When we look back I'm sure we will all agree that to score the
amount of goals he has done for the club in that time is a remarkable
achievement. Myself and all of the staff certainly wish him all the best
for his time at Wigan."
Norwich finished 11th in the Premier League last term, a campaign in which Holt scored eight times.
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