Wigan Athletic forward off to Port Vale after Shamrock Rovers return
Wigan Athletic have allowed forward Maleace Asamoah Jnr to join League Two outfit Port Vale on a season-long loan after recalled him from Shamrock Rovers.
The 23-year-old had been on loan with the League of Ireland side since February, but hadn't been a regular starter, and scored only once in a dozen appearances.
“Maleace is quick and powerful player who is suited to the left wing but can also play through the middle," said Vale manager Jon Brady.
“He’s played quite a few games at League One level and we’re all pleased to welcome him to the group.”
Asamoah Jnr's last game in a Latics shirt was the 4-2 defeat at Stockport County on February 21 - Gary Caldwell's second game in charge - when he was sent off for a wild lunge shortly after coming on as a substitute.
Caldwell's comments the following week strongly suggested he has played his last game for Latics.
"Maleace had come to me a few times about wanting to leave the club, about feeling frustrated at the club," said the Latics boss.
"I tried to persuade him it was a new regime, I tried to get him involved, and he obviously came onto the pitch at Stockport.
"I felt his actions suggested he wanted to be somewhere else. And I feel that, with the position we're in, we can't wait to see how things like that work out.
"If there are things that need to happen, we need to be very quick and very decisive with those actions.
"I felt it was the best thing for him to leave the club, and for us to focus on players who are 100 per cent committed to being here, and getting us out of the situation we're in."
In total, he scored three times in 47 appearances for Latics.
Meanwhile, shortly after confirming the signing of Asamoah Jnr, Vale also swooped for Keyrol Figueroa from Liverpool on another season-long loan.
The 20-year-old forward - the son of former Latics defender Maynor - is a full international for Honduras, having played for the USA up to Under-20 level.
Vale boss Brady added: “Keyrol comes from an outstanding football environment at Liverpool and has a really exciting attacking profile.
"He’s quick, direct and dynamic, with a real desire to threaten defenders and play on the front foot.
"He has the strength and technical ability to receive the ball under pressure and link play, while also having the pace and athleticism to run in behind, attack space and cause problems with his movement.
"There’s an unpredictability to him in attacking areas which I feel is something we need and will add another dimension to our team.
"His goalscoring record at PL2 level speaks for itself, particularly in terms of his goals-per-game return, but he’s still a young player with plenty of development ahead of him.
"We’re really excited to work with Keyrol, help him continue that development and give him the freedom to express the qualities he has."