Latics agree deal with Portsmouth for de Zeeuw signing

WIGAN have agreed a fee with Portsmouth to bring centre-back Arjan de Zeeuw to the JJB Stadium. De Zeeuw, 35, played for the Latics for three years before arriving at Fratton Park in 2002.

Latics boss Paul Jewell worked with de Zeeuw during the defender's last spell with the club, and believes he has signed a “leader”.

Jewell has been busy in the transfer market following promotion to the Premiership last season. Mike Pollitt, Pascal Chimbonda, Ryan Taylor, Stephane Henchoz and Damien Francis have bolstered the squad, although Jewell lost out to Newcastle in his attempts to sign midfielder Scott Parker.

Striker Henri Camara is also expected to sign for Jewell before the start of Wigan’s campaign, with Chelsea their first opponents this weekend. Wigan have also been linked with a move for 29-year-old midfielder Josip Skoko, who currently plays in Turkey for Genclerbirligi.