Saturday, 29th June, 2013

2013 FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic have secured the signing of Blackpool’s veteran left-back Stephen Crainey on a free transfer, the Latics’ have announced.

Crainey, 32, had been with Blackpool since the summer of 2007. From then on, he went to tally a total 228 appearances for the club, providing four goals and 27 assists during his stay at Bloomfield Road.



Crainey started his professional football career with Scottish giants Celtic in 1999 before moving on with the likes of Southampton and Leeds United.

While Crainey admits it will be tough leaving Blackpool, he is now relishing a new challenge at the DW Stadium, saying to the club’s official site: "It was tough saying goodbye to Bloomfield Road because I probably spent the best years of my career at Blackpool; winning promotion and playing in the Premier League, and playing another playoff final the following season.

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"They were very happy times that I’ll always remember, but now it’s time to move on and start the next part of my career here at Wigan Athletic", Crainey further explained.

Crainey was also delighted at the prospect of getting the backing of Wigan’s passionate fan following, saying: "I’ve played at the DW Stadium a few times in the past so I know how much the fans get behind their team, and we’re going to need that this season if we’re going to put together some big performances."

The 32-year-old added: "There will be a lot of players coming in over the next few weeks, and the competition to get into the team on a matchday is going to be fierce, but I’m up for that challenge."

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