Club offer professional contracts to seven youth team players

Wigan Athletic are delighted to announce that they have offered professional terms to seven of last year's Youth Team - the biggest number in the club's history.

All seven -Luke Ashworth, Lewis Field, Matty Hampson, Joe Holt, Craig Mahon, Andrew Pearson and Jon Routledge - were at the JJB Stadium this morning to put pen to paper on their new contracts.

Latics manager Steve Bruce said: "They all now have a chance to prove themselves. We feel they have the potential to develop into Wigan Athletic players of the future, but now it's up to them to show me and the rest of the staff here that they have what it takes."

Pictured (Right): The Magnificent Seven
Back Row Left to Right: Andrew Pearson, Luke Ashworth, Joe Holt.
Front Row: Craig Mahon, Matty Hampson, Jon Routledge, Lewis Field.

In alphabetical order, they are:

LUKE ASHWORTH

Towering 6ft 3 inch centre half, fierce in the tackle. He was Youth Team Player of the Year in his first year at the club.

Date of Birth: December 4th 1989
Place of Birth: Bolton
Previous Club: Oldham Athletic
2007-08 Appearances:-
-Reserve Team: 14 apps, 1 goal
-Youth Team: 28 apps + 1 sub, 4 goals

LEWIS FIELD

Defender who can operate in the middle or at right back. Has been at the club since the age of 11, and overcame the disappointment of a broken leg early last season to impress.

Date of Birth: November 3rd 1989
Place of Birth: Ormskirk
Previous Club: None
2007-08 Appearances:-
-Reserve Team: 3 apps, 1 sub
-Youth Team: 15 apps + 3 subs

MATTY HAMPSON

Local-born winger with an eye for goal, equally comfortable on either flank. He joined the Centre of Excellence at the age of eight and has progressed through every level. He is a self-confessed supporter too!

Date of Birth: January 2nd 1990
Place of Birth: Wigan
Previous Club: None
2007-08 Appearances:-
-Reserve Team: 6 apps + 5 sub, 1 goal
-Youth Team: 28 apps, 14 goals

JOE HOLT

Tigerish central midfielder with an eye for goal.Has progressed through the ranks since the age of 11.

Date of Birth: February 1st 1990
Place of Birth: Liverpool
Previous Club: None
2007-08 Appearances:-
-Reserve Team: 2 apps + 3 sub
-Youth Team: 31 apps, 11 goals

CRAIG MAHON

Predatory Irish striker, the archetypal fox in the box, top scorer two years running in the Youth Team, with an overall goal tally of 25 goals in just 33 starts. Has appeared for the Republic of Ireland at both Under 18s and Under 19s level.

Date of Birth: June 20th 1989
Place of Birth: Dublin
Previous Club: None
2007-08 Appearances:-
-Reserve Team: 14 apps + 2sub, 2 goals
-Youth Team: 21 apps + 4 subs, 14 goals

ANDREW PEARSON

Powerful centre half as strong in the tackle as he is commanding in the air, who has impressed despite suffering with a serious anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in March, which will keep him out until the Autumn.

Date of Birth: 21st December 1989
Place of Birth: Manchester
Position: Centre-Half
Previous Club: Bolton Wanderers
2007-08 Appearances:-
-Reserve Team: 7 apps, 1 goal
-Youth Team: 19 apps, 1 goal

JON ROUTLEDGE

A tenacious central midfield general in the making, last year's Youth Team Player of The Season.

Date of Birth: November 23 1989
Place of Birth: Liverpool
Previous Club: Liverpool
2007-08 Appearances:-
-Reserve Team: 3 apps + 4 sub
-Youth Team: 28 apps, 2 goals