Wigan Athletic have announced the signing of Sunderland winger James McLean, who has been brought to the club for around £ 1 million. Manager Owen Coyle has revealed that the player took a wage cut in order to complete the move, which is something that does not happen often in football. He has said that players are often motivated by money, but McLean wanted to play football more than anything else. Sunderland could not guarantee McLean a regular first-team place, and the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland winger has decided to move south.
McLean has been signed in time to be included in the squad as they prepare to take on Manchester United in the community shield. Wigan managed to win the opening game of the season 4-0 against Barnsley. The club was relegated from the Premier league after eight years in the top flight. They have sold some key players already, but signings like McLean promises to help the club be a promotion challenger this season. Coyle has revealed that the history of the player, which has been littered with several outbursts and incidents, did not bother him because he thinks that the player is now mature.
He thinks that McLean can be a real difference to Wigan’s play this season.
“He took a drop in salary to come here, such was his desire to play football. That was fantastic. All too often in football, finance is the motivation for some players. We have all done silly things as young men. The bottom line is, having had a chat with him I know he is focused and just wants to concentrate on his football. If we get James McClean doing that, there is no doubt he is a huge talent,” said the manager, who was appointed as the replacement for Roberto Martinez.