Friday 29 January 2016 07:39, UK
Wigan have pulled off a double raid on their Sky Bet League 1 rivals, signing Chesterfield skipper Sam Morsy and Crewe winger Ryan Colclough for undisclosed fees.
Morsy has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the DW Stadium while Colclough, having also passed a medical on Thursday, has penned a three-and-a-half-year contract.
The pair, Gary Caldwell's fifth and sixth signings this month, are both in contention to make their Latics debuts against Port Vale, Morsy's former club and Colclough's home-town team, on Saturday.
Wigan boss Caldwell told the club's official website: "They are players we have been keeping a close eye on so to be able to get both over the line now is a major boost for us.
"We saw their talent first-hand in matches this season and they both were both standout players in matches against Chesterfield and Crewe respectively.
"They are exactly the type of players we want at Wigan Athletic, young and hungry, but with plenty of experience at this level at the same time as having the ability to progress and play in a higher division. Hopefully of course, that will be with us.
"Sam is an aggressive, talented central midfielder, a leader on and off the park, while Ryan is a young talent who has the ability to get people off their seat."
Midfielder Morsy made 99 league appearances for Chesterfield, signing off with a goal against Millwall in a 2-1 home defeat last Saturday.
During his time in north Derbyshire he helped Chesterfield win the Sky Bet League 2 title and reach the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final. Last season, he was pivotal in the Spireites qualifying for the Sky Bet League 1 play-offs.
Chesterfield boss Danny Wilson told the club's official website: "We tried our best to keep Sam but he was determined to move on so there was not a great we could do about it.
"We then had to do the best deal we possibly could for the club and that is what we have done. Sam has done very well for Chesterfield and he leaves with our best wishes for the future."
Colclough, a Crewe academy graduate, has been an ever-present for the Alex this term and has scored eight goals.
