Wigan Athletic, who will play in Sky Bet League 1 next season, have today announced that they will sign soon to be departing Walsall goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell when his contract expires on 30th June.
In a statement released via their official website the Latics confirm; Goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell is due to officially become a Wigan Athletic player on July 1 after his contract with Walsall expires, subject to him passing a medical at the DW Stadium next month. The news comes a day after the announcement David Perkins is set to join Latics in a similar arrangement.
Walsall’s Player of The Year has agreed terms on a three-year deal with Latics having missed just two games in the last two seasons for The Saddlers and Latics manager Gary Caldwell spoke of his delight at netting his man.
“I’m delighted Richard has agreed to join us,” Caldwell said. “He was definitely one of the best keepers in League One last season; his clean sheet record speaks for itself.
“There were a number of clubs chasing his signature and we had to move quickly to get him because we had identified him as a potential target.
“He’s at a good age and fits in with the profile of ambitious players we are looking for and he will be a quality addition to the squad.”
The 26-year-old joined Walsall in 2013 from Chesterfield and went on to make 105 appearances in all competitions, featuring in 54 of 56 fixtures in 2014-15 and keeping 21 clean sheets during the season.
Walsall and O’Donnell were runners-up to Bristol City in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium in March, the first time in the club’s 127-year history they have played at the national stadium. He was an ever-present in his first season at Banks’s Stadium, featuring in all 51 fixtures.
Sheffield-born O’Donnell began his career in the youth ranks at Sheffield Wednesday, making 19 first team appearances from 2006 until his departure in 2012. He has also spent time on loan at York City, Rotherham United, Grimsby Town, and Macclesfield Town.