Wigan agree fee for de Zeeuw swoop

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.

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said: “It’s disappointing the way it has turned out and we want Arjan to stay and compete for his place.

“We have reluctantly agreed terms with Wigan and to be honest we feel our hands are tied over this after the player put in his transfer request. Though nothing has been concluded.

Storrie added on the club’s official website, www.pompeyfc.co.uk: “Nobody knows what would have happen if he stayed and it is quite possible he could impress the manager and become a main feature all season, which is what it is all about in any level of football.”