Colombian International Hugo Rodallega has been granted a work permit by the Home Office clearing the way for a £4.5 million move to Wigan. Latics boss Steve Bruce said: "This is great news. The transfer is not finalised yet and the player will not be unveiled until it is, but this was the major stumbling block.

"We are never comfortable as a club talking about transfers before they are finalised, because so much can potentially happen to delay a move.

"However, we have made an exception in this case because the news is in the public domain. Hugo has yet to undergo a medical but we are very optimistic about this going through, hopefully later this week.

"Like all our overseas transfers, we have worked very hard on this one. The club has sent delegations to South America to watch him and to discuss terms with club and player and we feel he can be a big success in England.

"He is strong and quick, with an eye for goal and if he is anything like the other South and Central American imports we have brought in to the club, we have netted another gem, that's for sure."