Highly-rated Hamilton Academical midfielder James McCarthy has weighed up his options and decided that Wigan Athletic is the club for him in a deal believed to around the £1.2million mark.
The promising 18-year-old Republic of Ireland U21 international had discussions with both Wigan and Premier League new boys Wolverhampton Wanderers, spending the weekend to deliberate which of the two clubs he would like to take the step up to the English top flight with.
Despite being more than impressed with what he saw at Molineux the youngster has decided to join Roberto Martinez’ side as the new Wigan manager builds for the future.
McCarthy broke into the Hamilton first team while still only 15-years-old, quickly establishing himself as a regular, and became the youngest player in Accies history to find the back of the net when he scored a late goal in their 4-2 defeat to Livingston in the Scottish Cup at 16 years and 55 days.
James bowed out of New Douglas Park thanking the club for everything they had done for him, commenting on the official website, “I had an absolutely brilliant time at Accies. The club have been tremendous with me. I made so many good friends and I wish everyone at Accies all the very best.”
He will now put pen to paper on a five year contract at the DW Stadium and will join up with his new team mates at their Austria training camp ahead of the warm up game against Buglarian side PFC Minyor on Friday evening.
McCarthy made over 100 appears for The Accies and hit the target on 15 occasions – not a bad record for a lad who is barely old enough to buy a pint!
