[themaclad]

Wigan Athletic midfielder Charlie Hughes has signed an improved deal to keep him at the club until the end of the 2027-28 season.

The 19-year-old signed a long-term contract earlier this year.

He made 23 appearances in all competitions last season after making his debut at Fleetwood on 9 August.

"We hope Charlie's breakthrough year can be a source of inspiration for all of our younger players," boss Shaun Maloney told the club website.

"Not only is he a talented footballer, but Charlie is a dedicated young man and a brilliant character. We are all excited to see what the future holds for Charlie and look forward to supporting him in the years to come."

[themaclad]

Wigan Athletic have re-signed winger Callum McManaman on a one-year contract for a third stint with the club ahead of the 2023-24 League One season.

The 32-year-old is reunited with Latics boss Shaun Maloney, with whom he played in his first spell from 2007 to 2015.

McManaman, who also spent the 2018-19 season with Wigan, has not played for over a year since leaving Tranmere.

"I was grateful for the opportunity to get my career back on track after a difficult 12 months," he said.

"I feel like it's one of my proudest achievements to earn this contract, as I've put in a lot of work behind the scenes because I've really wanted this opportunity to come back on merit.

"I still have a lot to offer, and I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business with how my last spell here ended."

McManaman has made 133 appearances across his two spells with Wigan and helped the club win the FA Cup in 2013.

"When Callum first came here in February, I knew he had a tough time recently and I really wanted to give him an opportunity to get back to a level which we have all seen before," Maloney added.

"I have to say that the improvement, dedication and desire to be here since February is the reason why he has earned this contract."

[themaclad]

League One side Wigan Athletic have signed former Arsenal midfielder Matt Smith on a three-year deal.

Smith joined the Gunners at the age of six and came through their academy but has not played a senior game for them.

The 22-year-old has made 75 League One appearances across three loan spells at Swindon, Charlton and Doncaster Rovers.

"We've pushed really hard to get him and he's very important to how we are looking to play this year," Wigan boss Shaun Maloney told the club website.

Wigan will begin the new season on minus eight points after being penalised by the English Football League for the late payment of players' wages under the club's previous ownership

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Wigan Athletic have signed defender Sean Clare on a three-year deal following his release by fellow League One side Charlton Athletic.

The 26-year-old came through the Addicks' youth setup but went on to join Sheffield Wednesday in 2016.

He went on to have spells with Hearts, Oxford United and Burton before re-joining Charlton in 2021.

"It's a massive club with great ambition, and I feel I'm in a great position to help us progress," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to playing in front of the fans. I know they always get behind the team, and from everything that I have seen and heard it should be an exciting season"

Clare, who was a Scottish Cup runner-up with Hearts, made 92 appearances in all competitions for Charlton over the past two seasons.

[themaclad]

Wigan Athletic assistant manager Rob Kelly and goalkeeping coach Darryl Flahavan will leave the League One club.

The pair arrived in summer 2021 and were part of former manager Leam Richardson's backroom staff.

Kelly and Flahavan helped them to win the League One title during their first season and continued with the Latics after Richardson left the club.

In a statement the club said they wished the pair well for the future.

Manager Shaun Maloney is preparing to lead his side in England's third tier following their relegation from the Championship last season.

[themaclad]

Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Jamie Jones will leave the club after six years following the end of his contract.

The 34-year-old made 117 appearances for the Latics after joining from Stevenage in 2017.

During his time at the DW Stadium, Jones twice won the League One title in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

"The club would like to place on record our thanks to Jamie for his six-year service and wish him well in his future career," a Wigan statement said.

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Wigan Athletic have signed midfielder James Balagizi from Premier League side Liverpool on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old steps up to League One level for the 2023-24 campaign after spending time on loan with Crawley Town in League Two last season.

Balagizi made 16 appearances and scored three goals, including against Fulham in the Carabao Cup in August.

"I'm so excited and ready to get going. It's a massive club with massive history," he told the club website.

"The best way for me to develop is by playing as many senior games as possible. Last year, my first loan was a good experience for me, and hopefully, I can further my development here

[themaclad]

Wigan Athletic midfielder Thelo Aasgaard has signed a new five-year deal.

The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in 79 league appearances for the Latics after making his debut in October 2020.

"I am absolutely delighted to extend my stay here and I cannot wait to play in front of our fans next season," he told the club website.

"I've created so many incredible memories here, and it's now time to create more."

[themaclad]

Wigan have signed Celtic midfielder Liam Shaw on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Morecambe, also in League One, and made 39 appearances in all competitions.

Shaw came through the Sheffield Wednesday youth set-up and made 21 league appearances for the Owls after making his debut in 2020.

He has made one start for Celtic, a Europa League tie against Real Betis in 2021.

The Scottish Premiership side loaned him out to Motherwell before he joined Morecambe last season.

Latics manager Shaun Maloney, a former Celtic player, told the club website: "Liam can play many different positions - as a defensive and attacking midfielder - and he started off at centre back at Sheffield Wednesday.

"He's a really good player and now our squad is really starting to take shape. He's a great character and brings a different profile physically so I'm glad Liam has joined us for the season, and I hope he's ready to fight for our cause."

Shaw said of his move: "It's a massive club, and when I spoke to the manager, I really bought into his vision and I can't wait to get started."

[themaclad]

Defender Jack Whatmough and midfielder Jamie McGrath have terminated their contracts with Wigan Athletic because of repeated contractual breaches by the previous ownership.

Wigan will start the season on minus eight points after failing to pay their players on time six times in 2022-23.

The Latics were taken over by local businessman Mike Danson last month.

Whatmough, 26, made 83 appearances in two seasons, while McGrath, also 26, spent last season at Dundee United.

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Newcastle United have loaned defender Kell Watts to Wigan Athletic for a second time, for the entirety of the 2023-24 League One season.

The 23-year-old, who has played once for the Magpies first team, played 35 games for the Latics in helping them to the League One title in 2021-22.

Watts has previously spent time on loan to Peterborough, Plymouth, Mansfield and Stevenage in Leagues One and Two.

"Last time I was here it felt like home so it's nice to be back," Watts said.

"Last time I was here, I created memories that will last my whole career, and I'm wanting to make more memories in a Wigan shirt now."

He joins a Wigan side who face an eight-point deduction to begin the season after relegation from the Championship last season.

"A left-sided centre-back is a difficult profile to get, so he's a really positive signing for us," boss Shaun Maloney added.

"Off the pitch, he's the right type of character that we need, and he was extremely popular amongst staff and previous players during his last loan here."