Daniel de Ridder admits he's at Wigan Athletic because of manager Steve Bruce.

The former Ajax and Birmingham winger told the Latics website: "I said when I signed that when someone of Steve Bruce's reputation and stature comes knocking at your door and asks you to join his team, you just say, 'where do I sign?'

"He is a fantastic leader, a real players' manager, if you know what I mean. He commands respect from the players because you know that in his career he has captained one of the biggest clubs in the world and won every domestic trophy there is."

De Ridder says that he just can't wait for the season now.

"I want to be competing for a place in the team. I know it's going to be so tough because when you look at the midfielders we have in the squad it has top quality written all over it.

"But that's the Premier League. You are going to get the best, and you need to have at least two players competing for every position."