Source: Daily_Mail
Caldwell snubs Strachan to complete £500,000 move from Celtic to Wigan
Uncompromising: Gary Caldwell beats Motherwell's Chris Porter to a header[LNB]Gary Caldwell has joined Wigan Athletic from Celtic on a four-and-a-half-year deal for £500,000 fee, as first mooted by Sportsmail.[LNB]The 27-year-old had also spoken to Middlesbrough about teaming up with former Parkhead boss Gordon Strachan, but the Latics have confirmed his arrival at the DW Stadium.[LNB]Caldwell made 151 appearances for Celtic - scoring seven goals - since joining from Hibernian in the summer of 2006.[LNB]The Scotland international becomes Wigan's third signing of theJanuary transfer window following the captures of Vladimir Stojkovicand Steven Gohouri.[LNB]Caldwell won two Clydesdale Bank 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]He described leaving Celtic 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 Latics boss Roberto Martinez.[LNB]'The manager made it quite clear what his ambitions are for this club and howmuch he wanted to bring me here,' said Caldwell.[LNB]'Toplay in the Premier League has always been an ambition of mine but Iknow how tough it's going to be to get in the side and I need to focuson winning a place and doing the best I can for my new club.[LNB]'It'sa massive wrench for me to leave a club like Celtic but I want to thankthe club and all the fans for the support they've given me in my timethere.[LNB] Reinforcements: Roberto Martinez (left) has already signed Steven Gohouri[LNB]'But I'm a Wigan player now and I can't wait to get started in the Premier League.[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.[LNB]'Hopefully Wigan have got my best years and I'll do well for the club.'[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. '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]The Latics have conceded 41 goals in 19 Barclays Premier League games this season and 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 website. '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] Money talks: Celtic's Gary Caldwell is lured from Gordon Strachan's Middlesbrough by Wigan wadIvory Coast defender Steven Gohouri signs for Wigan until the summerWigan boss Roberto Martinez reveals: I'll keep adding to my squad in JanuaryBirmingham boss McLeish lines up move for Wigan striker RodallegaWIGAN ATHLETIC FC
