David Marshall has signed a two-year deal with Wigan Athletic to formally end his time with Hull City. Marshall said it was first impressions at the Training Centre in Euxton that helped to convince him to join Paul Cook’s squad ahead of the 2019-20 Sky Bet Championship season.
Marshall initially began his career through the ranks of Celtic’s Academy, making his debut as a 17-year-old in a match against St. Johnstone in the Scottish Cup, resulting in a 3-0 victory. He’s kept a total of 131 clean sheets so far in his club career and seven clean sheets internationally.
The 34-year-old, who has played more than 500 first team matches, said:
“I came down to the club last week to have a look around. I’ve played against the goalkeeper coach Nick Colgan a few times and I know of his reputation as a coach…I felt at home straight away and I know some of the lads through previous clubs and from playing for Scotland. It seems the perfect fit.”
And a perfect fit it is – Marshall brings a wealth of Championship experience, having played 10 of his 12 seasons in England in the second tier, after beginning his career with Celtic.
Given his contract situation, you have to feel this is a really smart move by Wigan to capitalize on that and secure a hugely reliable goalkeeper at this level for very little expense.
In other news, a former Wigan Athletic loanee and current Chelsea star- Reece James may be linked to a Crystal Palace move as they desperately search for a replacement for Aaron Wan Bissaka who was signed for Manchester United in a deal worth £50 million.
At just 21 years old, the England Under-21 international is regarded as one of the best right-backs in the Premier League and has a huge future. Amidst all the negative press regarding the Red Devils, this signing seems to be a positive one. Although Lee Sharpe, ex England midfielder, doesn’t agree Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right choice to be trusted with taking Manchester United back to where they belong, this decision doesn’t seem too bad.
Many Latics fans regard James as the best player they’ve ever seen at Latics. Considering the fact he joined as a teenager that had never played a competitive match, then left after winning Player of the Year, captaining the side and dominating most of the Championship’s midfield – he did pretty well.
The Latics have also signed Southampton striker Sam Gallagher and have agreed to a £5 million deal, according to reliable journalist Alan Nixon.
Gallagher has failed to make the desired impression with the Saints, and although he impressed in some loan spells in his time with the club, he has never had that real breakthrough moment for the Hampshire side, and now his time with the Premier League team could be over.