Wigan Athletic named new loanee Callum Connolly in their starting eleven before the fans even knew he had joined the club.
The Latics announced their starting eleven to face Burton Albion today on Twitter and named Connolly in the side, much to the confusion of the supporters:
who is Connolly??? #wafc
— Greg Pryce (@GregerzP7) January 14, 2017
Connolly? 🤔 #wafc
— Ian (@ihg1932) January 14, 2017
who on earth is this Connolly?
— Adam O'Neill (@AdamONeillio) January 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/alex_caitx/status/820269862761152513
The Wigan Twitter team then quickly announced they had signed the Everton defender on loan for the remainder of the season in-between tweeting the starting eleven and the substitutes:
https://twitter.com/wafcnathan/status/820270385560227840
"oh yeah, btw guys, we signed a defender" thanks aha
— Jon (@Jon_wafc) January 14, 2017
"Starting XI is…. Oh shit, forgot to tell the fans we'd signed a player, they're asking who he is"
*announces signing*
"Right, subs" pic.twitter.com/iAK5YU43R9
— GeorgeWeahsCousin (@WeahsCousin) January 14, 2017
Nevertheless, the highly-rated Connolly looks to be a good addition to the Championship side’s squad.
The 19-year-old right-back made his Everton debut in the Premier League last season in April against Southampton, replacing the injured Seamus Coleman as a second-half substitute. Connolly also spent time at Barnsley last term on a one-month loan deal, where he made three appearances for the South Yorkshire club.
Wigan boss Warren Joyce was pleased to make the addition to his squad:
“We thank Everton for giving us the opportunity to take Callum on loan and help us at this time in that right back position.
“He is a versatile defender who can also play centrally and having tracked his progress over the past year, we feel he is ready. He has great energy and is a defender’s defender. We are confident he can make a good contribution to the group.”
Connolly will wear the number 12 shirt during his time at the club and indeed went on to make his debut in today’s clash with Burton Albion, who are six points ahead of Wigan.
However, the man from nowhere didn’t only ‘start’ the game, but actually went on to score both goals in a 2-0 Wigan win that gives the Latics a welcome three points.
Everton Loan News : Callum Connolly Nets Twice On Debuthttps://t.co/JvJApf2fuM#Everton #Wigan @Callum1connolly @Everton pic.twitter.com/WJHXYP2m2I
— Love Everton Forum (@LuvEvertonForum) January 14, 2017
