Wigan Athletic's spending power convinced former Celtic defender Gary Caldwell to choose them ahead of Middlesbrough.

The Daily Mail says Caldwell will turn his back on old boss Gordon Strachan this morning to land a bumper £5million pay day at Wigan Athletic.

The Celtic and Scotland defender seemed set to sign for Middlesbrough after spending 48 hours holed up in a hotel on Teesside.

Caldwell even passed a medical with the Coca-Cola Championship club as Strachan's bid to revive Boro's fortunes saw him close in on a quartet of deals, including Barry Robson, Chris Killen and Willo Flood.

But, in a dramatic U-turn, Caldwell accepted an improved offer from Wigan that will earn him in excess of £20,000-per-week plus appearance money over the course of a four-and-a-half year contract.