Bruce brought the Dutchman to England last year when he was boss of Birmingham but had little chance to work with the winger before leaving to take over the Latics.

De Ridder fell out of favour under new Blues boss Alex McLeish and so when the opportunity came to join Wigan, it was an offer he gratefully accepted.

"Last year, I came to Birmingham and Steve Bruce convinced me to go there but unfortunately he left after four months," said the 24-year-old.

"The change of management at Birmingham did not work well for me so this is a good move for me.

"I spoke to my agent and my family and Steve and I made my own mind up.

"He (Steve) showed me in the months he was at Birmingham that he did believe in me and he told me that this time also.

"There were some options that were not that concrete because there were two months left in the transfer window.

"Everything was going slow and then he called and said, 'I want to get you' and there was no hesitation."