Source: Team_Talk
Latics the Victor-s in race for Moses
The 19-year-old had been courted by a number of Premier League and Championship clubs - but the Latics announced they had won the race to sign the player on Monday. [LNB]Moses has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at the DW Stadium after passing a medical at the club over the weekend.[LNB]He has scored 11 goals in 69 appearances for Neil Warnock's side, who were forced to sell the player after being plunged into administration last week.[LNB]Warnock has repeatedly stated that Moses has what it takes to play for a top-flight club, and even Spanish giants Real Madrid were reportedly interested in signing the player.[LNB]Moses came through the ranks at Palace's academy and made his debut in 2007 at just 16 years of age.[LNB]He moved to England from Nigeria at the age of 11 and has been a regular in Warnock's side this season.[LNB]The powerful forward admitted he was sad to leave Palace but said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing top-flight football.[LNB]"To play in the Premier League is a dream and I want to thank Roberto Martinez and Wigan for giving me the chance to do that," Moses said.[LNB]"I'm sad to leave Palace because they're a great club and gave me my chance in football and I want to say thanks to everyone there.[LNB]"But I need to prove myself now at Wigan and I'm going to focus on getting in the team and doing well for my new club."[LNB]Martinez backed Moses to make a big impact at the club, who are currently sitting just two points above the relegation zone.[LNB]"He is a special talent," said Martinez. "You can see that straightaway. He has been a big hit for Crystal Palace, and now he has the chance to grow and mature in the Premier League.[LNB]"Victor is a real player in the making, and he now needs to show the right character and dedication to match his undoubted talent and I think he can make a terrific impact at Wigan Athletic over the coming months and years.[LNB]"I have said all along that I want to bring in the right sort of players to this club, who will be proud to wear the shirt and who will bring something fresh and new to the table. Victor certainly fits the bill in that respect."[LNB]"I think it is very important because the player has chosen to come to us," added Martinez.[LNB]"He is a very mature young man and he knows exactly what he wants. He wants to know about the future plans for the football club and his role at the club, so for him to choose Wigan Athletic is fantastic news for our fans.[LNB]"It shows that we have a short-term aim to stay in the Premier League but a future plan as well.[LNB]"He is one of the most talented young footballers that we have got in the British game, so to be able to work with him and have a player that relies on his talent to be effective on the football pitch is very exciting news for Wigan.[LNB]"Those players don't appear too often. For us to be able to invest on Victor, I think it is clear, the determination of where we want to be as a football club."[LNB]Wigan take on Notts County in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Tuesday night but Moses will have to wait for his debut as he is cup-tied, having already played for Palace in the competition this season.[LNB]The next opportunity is the Latics' league trip to Sunderland on Saturday and Martinez confirmed it would not be long before the teenager saw some first-team action with his new club.[LNB]He said: "We'll have a look - I want to see him in the group, I want to see him fitness-wise and we will take it from there. But this month, he is going to be involved with us."[LNB][LNB] Sunderland v Wigan. Click here to bet.
