Wigan Athletic are close to completing the permanent signing of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. The 22-year-old will join on a free transfer, with Palace retaining a significant sell-on clause.
Manager Gary Caldwell, who previously worked with Whitworth during his own time at Exeter City, has moved to add competition in goal. The Latics sit 24th in League One with zero points from two games, having conceded five goals. Whitworth's arrival is intended to solidify a defence that needs to improve quickly.
Gary Caldwell knows the player well from their shared time at Exeter City. Joe Whitworth spent the last two seasons on loan at St James Park, making 96 appearances for the Grecians. That extensive League One experience makes him a ready-made option for a Wigan side that has made a poor start to the campaign. Caldwell's familiarity with the goalkeeper's abilities is a key factor in the pursuit.
This move is not a reaction to the early form of current loanee Joe Walsh. Caldwell always planned to bring in two senior goalkeepers this summer. Walsh joined last month on a season-long loan from Championship side Queens Park Rangers but has struggled with confidence after some early mistakes. The signing provides necessary depth and internal competition.
The arrival of Joe Whitworth sets up a direct battle for the starting position with Joe Walsh. Both will be pushing to claim the number one jersey as Wigan look to climb from the bottom of the table. The club's goal difference stands at minus three after scoring twice and conceding five times in their opening matches.
Youngster Tom Watson, who spent much of last season on loan at South Shields, is expected to go out on loan again this term. This allows him to gain more first-team experience while Caldwell works with his two new senior options. The manager's strategy is clear: establish a competitive environment to improve performances across the board.
Wigan Athletic are six points behind early leaders Bradford City and urgently need to find some form. Their next challenge is an away trip to face AFC Wimbledon, who are currently 23rd in the table, on 30 August.
The club's recruitment is focusing on players who can make an immediate impact. Securing a goalkeeper of Whitworth's experience without paying a transfer fee represents smart business. It frees resources to address other areas of the squad. Fans can track the evolving team roster on our squad page.
Adding a new goalkeeper is a step towards shoring up a leaky defence. The data on our standings page shows the scale of the task. Whitworth's job, whether he starts immediately or fights for his place, will be to help turn those numbers around. His permanent signing offers stability for the season ahead as Wigan aim to move away from the relegation zone.
