Wigan Athletic have unveiled plans for a new training complex.

Chairman Dave Whelan, chief executive Jonathan Jackson and acting head of the academy Matt Jackson met with local residents at the DW Stadium to reveal phase one of a multi-million pound project, which would see Christopher Park developed to cater for the stars of tomorrow and the first-team set-up being moved to a purpose-built out-of-town site.

The new project, delivered in conjunction with leading Manchester architects AFL, will also provide a first-class facility for the club's Community Trust to deliver its highly-acclaimed projects within the borough.

We want the community of Wigan to be proud of its football club and this project is very much aimed at achieving this, not only in helping to develop young players capable of performing at the highest level, but also in producing a facility of the highest standard," Jackson told the Wigan Observer.

"With this facility we intend to attract and develop young players into the next Leighton Baines - someone who came through the ranks at Wigan and now regularly represents England at full international level.

"Our dream is for the club to become synonymous with excellence on and off the pitch, and this first stage of our development is a huge step in the right direction to make that dream come true."