Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has reiterated his intention to remain at the club despite selling his stake in the JJB Sports brand.

The 70-year-old, who set up the sports chain in 1971, opted to sell his 29 per cent stake earlier this month to a joint venture formed by an Icelandic financial group and Chris Ronnie, who previously worked at Umbro and Sports Direct, for £190million.

But Whelan insisted in the Manchester Evening News: "I'd like to assure supporters that ongoing developments with my other business interests do not affect Wigan Athletic.

"I'm more excited about this coming season than I ever have been. My commitment to the club, and that of my wife Pat and our entire family, has never been stronger.

"When I took over Latics 12 years ago, my dream was to get the club into the Premiership.

"Now my dream is to establish Wigan Athletic as a Premiership club for many years to come, and I see this very much as work in progress."