England U18 international pens new contract with Latics.
- New Contract | Joe Gelhardt signs new Wigan Athletic contract
- Gelhardt, 17, commits future to Latics after breaking into first team squad in the past 12 months
- Young forward scored his first senior goal for Latics in 2-2 draw at Hull City in September
We are delighted to announce that young forward Joe Gelhardt has signed a new contract at the DW Stadium, which sees him commit his future to Wigan Athletic.
Gelhardt, 17, has made eight first team appearances for Latics and scored his first senior goal earlier this season when he came off the bench to score a sensational equaliser at Hull City in September.
The Liverpool-born youngster, who recently captained England’s U18 side, has won more than 20 youth international caps.
Wigan Athletic executive chairman Darren Royle said securing the academy graduate’s long-term future is important for the club.
“Creating a pathway from academy to first team is a priority of our manager and our owners and Joe is certainly a talent that has benefitted from that philosophy,” he said.
“Joe is an exciting talent who has already shown this season what he can bring to this football club.
“Joe, his family and his representatives believe that Wigan Athletic is the best place for Joe to continue his development and play football.
“I must once again place on record my gratitude to the club’s CEO Jonathan Jackson for his long-term belief in the development of our own young players, which is continuing to bear fruits and to our academy manager Gregor Rioch, Kenny Williams [Head of Academy Recruitment] and the staff at the academy for their hard work with all of our young players on a daily basis. I know this is news that our academy staff will celebrate as another achievement and recognition of their passion for their work.”