Double Dutch for Dowie

Coventry have signed Dutch duo Arjan De Zeeuw and Ellery Cairo.

Defender De Zeeuw, 37, joins from Wigan while 28-year-old winger Cairo arrives on a free transfer from Hertha Berlin and both have signed one-year deals at the Ricoh Arena.

Sky Blues boss Iain Dowie told the club’s official website www.ccfc.co.uk: “Arjen is a model professional and is a hugely-experienced player while Ellery has pace to burn and will provide some much-needed width to the side.

“I’m sure both players have what it takes to be very competitive at this level and they add more quality to the squad.”

De Zeeuw has racked up over 400 appearances in English football since joining Barnsley from Dutch side Telstar in 1995 for £250,000.

He enjoyed two spells with the Latics either side of a three-year stay at Portsmouth and made his last appearance for the club in the thrilling 2-1 win at Sheffield United which secured their Premiership status.