Former Magpie Paul Dummett joins League One's Wigan Athletic
11/12/2024 05:00 AM
The defender will get his chances a few levels down the football pyramid.
Former Newcastle United defender Paul Dummett has signed with Wigan Athletic on a short-term contract until January, the club announced last Friday.
The 33-year-old, who left Newcastle this summer after his contract expired, had been seeking a new opportunity since his release in June instead of opting for retirement.
Dummett, whose versatility allowed him to play at both left-back and center-half, was in talks with several clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, but no deal materialized with the veteran finally joining a third-tier club.
After spending 24 years at Newcastle, where he made 213 appearances, Dummett remained a respected senior figure in the squad despite limited game time under head coach Eddie Howe.
Howe had been keen to retain the veteran defender had his team qualified for any European competition, but without that qualification, the club decided not to extend his contract beyond a single-year renewal in 2023.
During his time as a free agent, Dummett kept up his fitness at Newcastle's Benton training ground and was a regular supporter of his former teammates.
Wigan, navigating the bottom of League One these days and managed by Shaun Maloney, targeted Dummett specifically to bolster their left-back position.
Maloney had recently stated that left-back was a priority, which aligned with Dummett's experience and versatility. The deal provides Dummett with a fresh opportunity to bring his years of Premier League experience to the third-tier side.
Dummett already logged eight minutes in his first app with Wigan on Nov. 9 in a League One defeat to Wycombe.
Good luck, Paul!
