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Wigan wheel in Maloney

Shaun Maloney spent an unsuccessful year on loan at Aston Villa © PA Photos

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• Profile: Shaun Maloney

Shaun Maloney will attempt to prove he can cut it in the Premier League after sealing a £1 million move from Celtic to Wigan.

Maloney's last foray into English football ended after just one full season at Aston Villa, as his failure to become a first-team regular in the Midlands saw him return to Celtic in 2008.

But after three years back at Parkhead, Maloney has decided to test himself south of the border once again, following the likes of Gary Caldwell, James McCarthy and James McArthur from the SPL to the DW Stadium.

Manager Roberto Martinez said Maloney's season-long spell at Aston Villa in 2007-08 before returning to Celtic for a second time would help him settle in quickly.

''His previous experience in the Premier League will be a great platform to start his Wigan Athletic career,'' he added. ''Now we want to make sure he enjoys that homely feeling at our football club to be able to bring his magic to our strong group of players.''

Maloney will link up with former Celtic team-mate Gary Caldwell at the DW Stadium and is relishing the prospect.

''As soon as I found out about the move I got excited,'' he said. ''The gaffer likes to play the right way and there's a tremendous squad here full of great potential.

''I need to focus on winning a place in the team and doing the best I can for the team. I want to thank everyone at Celtic which has been my life for so long now, and especially all the fans. But I've got an exciting challenge now and I can't wait to get started.''

Maloney has scored 52 goals in 215 games across two spells with Celtic and has been capped 20 times by Scotland.

Meanwhile, Wigan have confirmed the signing of Chelsea defender Patrick van Aanholt on a season-long loan.

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