Groningen are delighted with their capture of Wigan Athletic defender Andreas Granqvist.

The Swede was unveiled to the local media yesterday after marathon negotiations between the two clubs.

Groningen's technical director Henk Veldmate hailed the signing, telling the club's official website: "Granqvist is a real central defender - big, strong and he is good in the air."

Director Hans Nijland added at the player's presentation: "The negotiations have taken some time. There was a lot of interest in him. He is a young player and also an international. Five minutes before this presentation the deal was sealed."