Wigan Athletic swoop for Rangers' Josh Windass

Wigan Athletic have completed a deadline-day swoop for Rangers forward Josh Windass for an undisclosed fee.
Josh WindassJosh Windass
Josh Windass

Windass signed a three-year-deal at the DW Stadium and has taken Latics into double figures for summer signings.

The 24-year-old is Wigan’s second addition on deadline-day, with Callum Connolly joining on a season-long loan from Everton earlier this afternoon.

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Windass was initially set to sign for Ipswich Town this afternoon, but Wigan launched a last-gasp move for his services.

Windass was in sensational form for Rangers last term, scoring an impressive 18 goals in 41 appearances and providing eight assists for his Gers team-mates.

The son of Hull City legend Dean - Windass started his football career at Huddersfield Town after signing as a youth player in 2002, before being released in 2012 having spent a decade with the Terriers.

Following his release from Huddersfield Town in April 2012, Windass had an unsuccessful trial with Bradford City before eventually signing a deal with non-league side Harrogate Railway Athletic in December. He played on a semi-professional basis, combining his football career with a job as a construction labourer.

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Windass impressed at Harrogate and earned his first professional contract with League Two outfit Accrington Stanley in July 2013.

He enjoyed a three-year spell at Stanley between 2013 and 2016, scoring 22 times in 77 appearances and was offered extended terms at the club in November 2015.

But along with team-mate Matt Crooks, Windass signed a pre-contract with Rangers in January 2016 ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.

He has made 55 appearances for Rangers since 2016 and finished the third-highest top scorer in the Scottish Premier League last season behind Kris Boyd and Alfredo Morelos.

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Windass has previously worked with Latics’ assistant boss Leam Richardson, Head of Medical Andrew Proctor and Kal Naismith.

Paul Cook said: “Josh is an exciting player with an eye for a goal and he gives us further strength in attacking positions.”