'Magician' Wilson Palacios becomes first Steve Bruce signing.

Wigan Athletic are delighted to announce the signature of Wilson Palacios from Honduran Club Deportivo Olimpia.

The 23 year-old has passed a medical and put pen to paper on a three and a half year deal, for an undisclosed fee.  He has received international clearance to play against Derby County tomorrow, and been granted a work permit. He has travelled with the rest of the squad this afternoon

The Honduran International midfielder, who has played 42 times for his country, has been on loan at Birmingham City this season, and played six times in the Barclays Premier League.  That loan expired on January 2nd.


Palacios Against Wigan's Denny Landzaat

Palacios was initially recommended to Steve Bruce whilst he was at Birmingham by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. In his native Honduras, he is known as The Magician or Harry Potter, due to his skills on the ball, and Bruce is in no doubt about his potential.  In the past, he has likened him to a young Paul Ince, and said: "I have stated from the day that I walked into the club that we would only bring in players who would improve the squad, and offer something different.

"I know Wilson well and I have seen what he can do. He has great strength and vision, he can pass a ball with either foot and he has had some time to adjust to the rigour of the English Premier League and knows what our game is all about.

"I know that the Wigan supporters will warm to him because he's a real 100 per-center, he gives everything to the cause and I am looking forward to welcoming him into our team."

Palacios said: "I am really happy to sign for Wigan. I like Steve as a manager and I think it is an ambitious club that is going places.

"I can't wait to get started now. When the loan finished at Birmingham, Wigan were the first to come in and make me an offer and now I want to focus everything on doing my best here.

"I would like to thank Birmingham for all they did for me over the past few months, they have been very supportive of me at a very difficult time for me and my family. But now I need to concentrate totally on football again and I am grateful to Steve and for Wigan for giving me that chance."