Honduran Figueroa delighted to become Latics' first ever Premier League ever-present

Honduran international left back MAYNOR FIGUEROA says he is very proud of becoming the first ever Wigan Athletic player to start every match of a Barclays Premier League season.

It tops a remarkable year for the 25 year-old, who only made his full debut - on loan from his home town club Deportivo Olimpia - in the final match of the 2007-08 campaign, marking none other than Cristiano Ronaldo in the title decider against Manchester United.

But 12 months later, after playing in Latics' final day victory over Portsmouth, Figueroa completes a great feat, going one better than Pascal Chimbonda in 05-06 and Chris Kirkland and Paul Scharner last season and making it to 38 games for the season. .

"It makes me very happy," says the affable left back, who has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. "We have had a good season, all things considered. It could have been better, and we know we ran out of legs a bit in the last month, but we did very well as a group, especially when you think how many changes there were."

DAUNTING DEBUT: Figueroa marked Ronaldo & Co in the final game of the 2007-08 season.

Figueroa got his chance when first choice left back Eric Edman tore a cruciate knee ligament in March of last year, opening the door for Figueroa to become established.

By the time, Edman was fit, around Christmas, the Honduran's consistency had earned him the shirt on a permanent basis, something recognised by Edman himself.

"Football is like that sometimes, and I have no complaints," said the Sweden international. "Of course I want to play, but Maynor has been magnificent this season, you can't argue with the gaffer on that one."

Figueroa, who turned his loan spell at the club into a permanent deal in January, in fact missed just one match all season, the Carling Cup tie at Ipswich Town in September.

His achievements were rewarded with an Outstanding Contribution Award.at the Player of The Year Dinner last week and Figueroa said he has been over-whelmed by the support he has received from the fans at the JJB Stadium.

"It is really hard when you come in to a new country but the Wigan fans have been great to me.

"It has been my dream to play in England all my life. I knew I had one chance to prove myself at Wigan, and when I came on trial at the club, I knew that if it didn't happen for me here, I would probably be heading home.

"I have travelled to the other side of the world, I had to spend Christmas away from my family in a foreign country, where I didn't know the language, and it was freezing cold!

"But that is the risk you have to take. I'm very proud now to have earned a contract, and it gives people back home so much inspiration that players like me and Wilson Palacios can make it over here."

And the highlight of the season?

HIGHLIGHT: Maynor's highlight of the season, his winner against Spurs on Jan 11.

"It has to be my goal", he says, "I don't score that many but I usually manage to get on the score sheet every season and the goal against Tottenham was a great moment for me, but also the team because it earned us the three points in a crucial match."