Wigan Athletic fight off Premier League interest to secure Academy starlet

Devine, an England Under-16 international, is already a regular in the Latics Under-18s set-up, starring in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final at Manchester United earlier this season.

The Lowton-based midfielder appeared on the radar of several top clubs while representing England Under-16s in December, winning player of the tournament at the AGS Cup, which also involved the likes of Spain, Japan and Mexico and Russia.

But Latics have pulled off a real coup in persuading him his future lies at the DW Stadium.

“Alfie is one of the best players I have worked with; he has a mature head on young shoulders," Academy chief Gregor Rioch acknowledged.

“He has been capped by England and is regarded as one of the best for his age in the country.

"He is a player we like to challenge and stretch and he is consistently meeting those challenges, having shown comfort at under 18 level as a 15-year-old and also played for the under 23s.

“Alfie comes from an excellent family who are really supportive of the football club and his development.

“I am absolutely delighted with this news and look forward to working with Alfie and his team-mates next season.”

Chief executive Jonathan Jackson added: “Alfie is the another very talented footballer who has progressed through our academy to join our scholarship programme.

“Having already represented England, he has huge potential and he gave supporters a glimpse of his talent at Old Trafford earlier this year, playing in the FA Youth Cup v Manchester United at just 15.

“Gregor and all the staff at the academy are delighted that Alfie will continue his football education at Wigan Athletic.

"We all look forward to seeing Alfie grace the DW Stadium in the near future.”

Devine's father, Sean, played rugby league for St Helens between 1987-1992.