Wigan Athletic have secured the signing of West Ham defender Reece Burke on a season-long loan deal.
With numerous defenders recovering from long-term injuries, Latics boss Gary Caldwell has been eager to bolster his side’s defensive depth prior to the transfer window slamming shut.
Having already acquired the services of centre-back trio Stephen Warnock, Jake Buxton and Dan Burn, Wigan have further strengthened with the addition of 19-year-old West Ham youngster Reece Burke. The Englishman heads to the DW Stadium on a season-long loan deal, joining up with fellow West Ham loanee defender Kyle Knoyle, who’s still recovering from a broken elbow suffered in pre-season.
Latics boss Caldwell will be hoping Burke’s acquisition will go some way to shoring up Wigan’s relatively porous back line, who’ve struggled to adapt upon transition to the Championship so far, conceding eight goals in their first five league fixtures.
Burke began his professional career in 2014, making his first senior appearance for West Ham in an FA Cup clash against Nottingham Forest on 5 January 2014. The youngster received his Premier League debut in The Hammers’ scoreless draw against Queens Park Rangers on 25 April 2015.
A successful loan spell with League One outfit Bradford City last campaign saw Burke receive player of the year honours with the Bantams, a season in which Burke made 34 appearances and bagged two goals.
However, despite featuring in a Europa League fixture this season, Burke doesn’t appear to fit into Hammers boss Slaven Bilic’s plan, with the Croatian boss giving the green light for Burke to depart the Olympic Stadium for the season.
