Latics snap up de Ridder

Wigan have signed Dutch winger Daniel de Ridder on a three-year deal after he was released "by mutual consent" from Birmingham on Monday.

The 24-year-old signs for Steve Bruce for the second time in 12 months after the manager took him to St Andrews last summer and becomes Wigan's first signing of the summer.

Bruce said: "Daniel is an exciting player and I'm convinced he can make an impact at Wigan. He has very quick feet and can pull off the unexpected, he's a player with a trick who can go past defenders and has an eye for a pass."

He added: "He's also versatile enough to play in a number of positions."

Bruce is keen to add further recruits before the summer is over.

"It's clear we need to bring one or two new faces this summer and we are currently chasing several targets," he said. "Watch this space!"

De Ridder, who suffered from injuries and inconsistency in his first season at Birmingham, added: "When a manager says he wants you for his team it is very flattering, especially when it is a big team like Wigan who are now well established in the Premier League."