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Wigan seal Al-Habsi signing

Ali Al-Habsi is thrilled to have sealed a permanent move to the DW Stadium © Getty Images

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Wigan have completed the signing of goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi from Bolton on a four-year contract.

The Oman international spent last season on loan at the DW Stadium and was keen to return but the deal was held up because the two clubs could not come to an agreement on the fee.

However, the Latics are believed to have met Wanderers' £4million valuation and Al Habsi, Wigan's player of the season, was able to make his move permanent.

The clubs agreed the undisclosed fee for the 29-year-old last week, and Al Habsi then underwent a medical on his return from holiday before penning his deal.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said: "During his loan at our football club last season, Ali brought a great degree of professionalism in his daily work and put in many outstanding performances in the Premier League. Being voted player of the season reflects the huge impression that Ali had on the pitch but also the feeling of the supporters towards him."

Al Habsi joined Bolton in 2006 but made just 10 league appearances for the Trotters.

He made his Wigan debut in the 1-0 win at Tottenham last August and kept eight Premier League clean sheets in all - including a vital one in the final game of the season as the Latics avoided relegation thanks to a 1-0 win at Stoke.

He said: "I am very happy. I want to thank everyone at Bolton for helping me get established in this country but I need to be playing first-team football, and hopefully, if I can stay fit and keep doing my best, I will get the chance again at Wigan.

"I think the gaffer is building a really exciting young team here and I am thrilled that I can be a part of that again."

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