Wigan Athletic seal Tom Cleverley loan
Wigan Athletic have completed the transfer deadline day transfer of Tom Cleverley on loan from English Premier League giants Manchester United.
The highly-rated 21-year-old midfielder has joined Roberto Martinez’ squad for the rest of the 2010-11 season.
Martinez told his club’s official site today that: "Tom is a very exciting young player and we are delighted he is coming to us. He can play in a number of positions and will provide us with some good new options, and add great competition to the squad. We have been watching him for some time and feel he is the right sort of player to join our squad; young, hungry, desperate to play for the club in the Premier League and to grow with us."
Cleverley joined Manchester United at the age of 15 from his local club Bradford City and has worked his way up through the youth ranks. After impressing in United’s pre-season tour of North America, Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson had looked set to keep Cleverley at Old Trafford but has now allowed him to move out on loan.
In the 2008-09 season, the youngster was farmed out to Leicester City on loan. While there, he played in 11 games and netted twice.
Cleverley spent last season with Football League Championship outfit Watford, where his outstanding performances saw him named as the side’s Player of the Season. He played in 33 games across all competitions and scored 11 goals for the first team. This season, he will finally have the chance to test himself at EPL level at the DW Stadium with Wigan.
Cleverley has also made an impact at international level, having featured for the England Under-20 side. Although he only made one appearance at that level, he struck twice in a 5-0 friendly victory over Montenegro in August 2009. He later made the step up to the Under-21s and has made seven appearances at that level.
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