OWEN Dale has joined Wigan Athletic on loan from Oxford United in a deadline day deal until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old winger has made just 12 appearances for United so far this season, with only four of those starts in Sky Bet Championship.
Dale was a January deadline day addition for the U’s a year ago, joining from Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.
He played 18 times for United in the second half of last season, including starts in all three League One play-off games.
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U’s head coach Gary Rowett said: “It’s really difficult when you’ve got a big squad. It’s slightly unusual when you come into a club like this, you usually have a small squad to work with, but it’s actually quite a reasonably sized squad.
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“Because we’ve added to that without losing too many, it’s become even bigger, and of course we have the fortune at the moment of not too many injuries to the group.
“You can’t keep everybody happy and you can’t give everyone what they want. Owen is one of those. I know he’s a really good footballer and a really good player.
“He’s been one that has been unfortunate along with a few, and there’s an opportunity for him to go and play at a very good level, so for me, if players want to go and play football, that’s what they should do.
“It’s the same with Louie Sibley and Stephan Negru. We’ve just got to make good decisions around that, and give them the best possible chance to be in a good position to have a great future with the club come the start of next season.”
Dale told the Latics website: “It’s a massive football club with a rich history. I spoke to the manager, and the project here is something I want to be part of.
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“Hopefully I can come here and help the football club in every way. Hopefully I can provide some experience and I am looking forward to getting going.”
Dale now links up United teammate Will Goodwin, who joined the Latics on loan earlier in the January transfer window.
Goodwin has played six times for the Latics, with two of those starts for the side sitting 16th in League One.
Latics manager Shaun Maloney said on the signing of Dale: “I am very pleased to have signed Owen’s quality at this late stage of the transfer window.
“Owen is a hard-working and talented forward player who will be a real asset to us in the final third. I am looking forward to working with Owen during his stay at the football club.”
