Wigan Athletic are closing in on the loan signing of Aston Villa winger Bradley Burrowes. Football Lowdown reports the 18-year-old is set to join on a season-long deal before next week's deadline, choosing the Latics over other EFL interest.
An agreement is expected to be finalised within the next 24 hours, according to the outlet. Jacob Tanswell said: "Wigan Athletic are set to win the race to sign the 18-year-old on a season-long loan deal, before next week's deadline." The move comes as Wigan sit bottom of League One, with zero points from three games and a goal difference of minus four after scoring just twice.
Who is Bradley Burrowes?
Bradley Burrowes is a versatile 18-year-old forward who can operate as a striker or a winger. He made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa last season and was on the bench for their opening day defeat to Brighton this campaign. Burrowes also gained experience in matches against European sides Bayern Munich, Porto and Real Sociedad. His most impressive output came last season, where he contributed to 15 goals across 19 appearances in all competitions. He has also represented England regularly at various youth levels.
Where will he fit into the Wigan team?
Wigan Athletic manager currently deploys a 3-4-2-1 system. Burrowes is likely to feature either as the central number nine or in one of the two attacking roles just behind the main striker. His arrival addresses a clear need for a clinical edge. The team has scored only two goals from 32 shots in the league this season. Their crossing success rate stands at a low 22.4%. Burrowes' proven goal involvement from last season could provide a vital spark. You can view the current attacking options on the club's squad page.
Why is this move happening now?
The urgency for reinforcements is stark given Wigan's start to the 2026/27 season. Their only victory so far is a 3-2 win against Aston Villa's U21s in the EFL Trophy. In the league, they are 24th with a recent form of three consecutive losses. They are already seven points behind early leaders Blackpool. The club's league standing and offensive struggles are detailed on our standings and stats pages. Burrowes was notably excluded from Villa's squad for that EFL Trophy match against his soon-to-be teammates, hinting at the impending move.
What does this mean for the next fixture?
The immediate focus shifts to integrating the new signing ahead of a crucial home match. Wigan Athletic host high-flying Stockport County, who are third in the table, on September 5th. This fixture presents a tough challenge but also an early opportunity for Burrowes to make an impact. The team will be desperate to secure their first league points and improve their goal-scoring record. Fans can follow the build-up to this and all upcoming games on our fixtures page. The loan deal represents a calculated attempt to inject quality and fight into a squad that needs results quickly.
