Wigan Athletic to sign 33-year-old after Portsmouth, Sheffield United transfer talks
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Wigan Athletic are set to sign former Newcastle United defender Paul Dummett, according to a report from Chronicle Live.
Wigan Athletic are dealing with a shortage at left-back with Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers out for the foreseeable.
Academy graduate Luke Robinson hasn’t long returned from an injury, leaving Latics boss Shaun Maloney light on the ground in a key area. As such, he admitted to the press earlier this week a move for a free agent was under consideration.
Some have called for a striker to be signed, but a left-back has been the priority.
Now, it seems Wigan Athletic have got their man.
According to a report from Chronicle Live, Newcastle United’s former defender Paul Dummett is set to return to the game with Wigan Athletic. A deal has been agreed between the 33-year-old and the League One club.
Dummett has been allowed to train with the U21s at former club Newcastle to maintain fitness while searching for a new club, and he’s now found his route back into full-time football with Wigan.
Summer transfer talks
Dummett might have been out of the game since leaving Newcastle United but the incoming Wigan Athletic man held talks over moves to the Championship in the summer.
He spoke with Portsmouth over a potential move to Fratton Park, a switch that would have seen him follow in the footsteps of Matt Ritchie, who returned to Pompey. However, those talks failed to bear fruit.
Sheffield United also had eyes on Dummett as an experienced addition in defence, but that move never came to fruition either.
He now looks to have his route back into the game though, offering Wigan a much-needed option at the back. Dummett can play as either a left-back or centre-back, making him a valuable addition.
A welcome signing
Not only does Dummett offer a new option for Wigan Athletic in two key defensive positions, but the Welshman brings a vast level of experience and pedigree with him too.
Barring loans with Gateshead and St. Mirren, he had spent his entire career with Newcastle United before his summer release. He made 151 Premier League appearances for the club and played 213 times overall for the Magpies.
At League One level, the experience and pedigree he offers will be of huge value, especially in such a young Latics group.
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