Source: Team_Talk
Latics complete Caldwell capture
The 27-year-old Scotland international has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal to move to the DW Stadium for an undisclosed fee.[LNB]Latics have conceded 41 goals in 19 Premier League games this season and Roberto Martinez described his new recruit as "a commanding defender".[LNB]"Gary is a leader and he is exactly the right character we need at the club," the manager told the club's official website.[LNB]"He is a commanding defender who will lead by example on and off the pitch.[LNB]"He has been part of a winning team at Celtic and brings with him great experience, having won league titles and cups and played in the Champions League.[LNB]"He is a winner and will become a huge asset for Wigan Athletic."[LNB]Caldwell becomes Wigan's third signing of the January transfer window following the captures of Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic and Ivory Coast defender Steven Gohouri.[LNB]Caldwell, who took part in his first Latics training session on Wednesday morning, had been linked with Middlesbrough, where he would have teamed up with former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan.[LNB]But Wigan won the race for his signature after turning their full attentions to Caldwell having initially expressed an interest in Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra.[LNB]Caldwell made 151 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, scoring seven goals, since joining from Hibernian in the summer of 2006.[LNB]He won two Scottish Premier League titles, one Scottish Cup and one League Cup during his three-and-a-half years at Parkhead.[LNB]The Stirling-born former Newcastle trainee was also named 2009 SPL Player of the Year.[LNB]Despite falling down the pecking order under Tony Mowbray and subsequently losing his Scotland place, Caldwell believes he is entering his prime.[LNB]"I feel like I'm coming into the best years of my career - as a defender once you get into your 30s I think you do your best stuff," said Caldwell, who discussed the move with brother Steven, the Burnley captain, and could make his debut against Wolves on Saturday.[LNB]"Hopefully Wigan have got my best years and I'll do well for the club."[LNB]He described leaving Celtic - the club he supported as a boy - as a "wrench" but was lured by the prospect of playing in the Premier League and was persuaded to move to the DW Stadium by the enthusiasm and drive of Martinez.[LNB]"The manager made it quite clear what his ambitions are for this club and how much he wanted to bring me here," he added.[LNB]"To play in the Premier League has always been an ambition of mine but I know how tough it's going to be to get in the side and I need to focus on winning a place and doing the best I can for my new club.[LNB]"It's a massive wrench for me to leave a club like Celtic but I want to thank the club and all the fans for the support they've given me in my time there.[LNB]"But I'm a Wigan player now and I can't wait to get started in the Premier League."[LNB]Caldwell is under no illusions at the difficulty Wigan face in preserving their top-flight status.[LNB]"You look at the league table and it's very tight," he added.[LNB]"But there are a lot of teams worried and it's going to be a dogfight right until the very end.[LNB]"There's some great players in this team and we've got a squad that's good enough to stay in the Premier League and progress from there."[LNB][LNB] Craig Gardner's Club after Jan Transfer Window. Click here to bet.
