Wigan have completed the signing of Scottish midfielder James McArthur from SPL side Hamilton Academicals for an undisclosed fee.
Sunderland, West Brom and Sheffield United also showed an interest in McArthur.
The 22-year-old will join former teammate and Irish international James McCarthy, who made the move from Hamilton to Wigan 12 months ago.
“The transfer of James comes exactly one year after James McCarthy moved to Wigan and I am confident that ‘Auld’ James will be just as successful in England,” Hamilton chairman Ronald McDonald said on the Accies’ official website.
“Our sadness at his departure is outweighed by our feeling of pride in his success and the way he acquitted himself in the Accies shirt.
“James is the third player to graduate from the youth academy to the English Premier League and great credit is due to all of our dedicated management, coaching and medical staff who have assisted him in his development.
“The terms of the sale agreement forbid the disclosure of the sums involved, but the Accies will receive a substantial initial fee and add ons based on appearances.
“We wish James every success in his new challenge, he fully deserves the financial rewards he will now enjoy.”
