Wigan Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Bruce gutted to lose Valencia

26 May 2009 - 08:30:55

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Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce has admitted that he will be gutted to see star winger Luis Antonio Valencia leave the club this summer.

The 23-year-old Ecuador international is attracting interest from a number of top clubs across Europe and Bruce accepts that the Latics are powerless to keep hold of Valencia.

He said after the 1-0 win over Portsmouth: "He showed why we will struggle to hold on to him, he was absolutely magnificent.

"I'll be devastated to lose him because how the hell do we replace him, but he deserves it.

"He is a great kid to work with; he's humble, a great athlete and he deserves to play at the highest level - which he will do.

"The size of clubs who want to try to take him is growing by the day and unfortunately for us he will go.

"It is out of my hands now. It is up to the powers that be to get the best deal possible."