Wigan Athletic have been quick off the mark to secure the signing of Adrian Lopez after at last receiving International clearance
Wigan Athletic are delighted to confirm the signature of Spain Under 21 defender Adrian Lopez, after receiving international clearance for him to play in England.
The 23 year-old’s contract at Spanish side Deportivo La Coruña expired at the end of last season and Latics have been waiting to receive clearance from World Football governing body FIFA after Lopez exercised his option to move as a free agent.
That clearance has now been received and Lopez is eligible to play for Wigan Athletic after signing a deal which keeps him at the DW Stadium for the rest of the season. No compensation has been paid by Latics as the player was deemed to be a free agent.
Lopez, also known by his nickname of ‘Piscu’ in Spain, has played 23 times in La Liga for Deportivo, as well as making a further 16 cup appearances, 10 of those in the UEFA Cup or The Europa League. He has represented Spain twice at Under 21 level, and three times at Under 19s level.
Roberto Martinez is delighted the affair has been resolved positively.
We’ve been waiting a while for the FIFA resolution,” he said, “and it’s great to see Adrian’s desire to play for Wigan Athletic can finally be fulfilled.”
“He is a player with a fantastic football education, coming through the ranks of Deportivo La Coruña and playing for Spain at Under 19 and Under 21 level, which gives him a unique development, and makes him a defender with real potential
“He is a defender who is very calm under pressure, and is a great reader of the game, and I am confident he will be able to fulfill his potential at Wigan. He is desperate to help the squad to win games for Wigan Athletic.”
6 ft ½ inch Lopez came through the ranks at Deportivo and after playing for the B side, broke through into the first team in 2007, the first defender to do so since the early 1990s.
He has been allocated squad number 24 for Wigan Athletic.
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