Forward delighted to join with the aim of kick-starting his career.

Zach Clough | “I’m looking forward to getting started in the blue and white and I thank Leam for giving me the opportunity”
Forward joins until the end of the 2020-21 season
Clough: “My motivation is to play football again. I’ve missed the Saturday feeling, the Friday night feeling travelling with the lads and being around a first team environment, it’s been a long time coming and I’ve worked really hard for it and it’s a massive relief to sign to get here and get it done.”

Wigan Athletic’s latest signing Zach Clough thanked Leam Richardson for bringing him to the DW Stadium and providing the forward with an opportunity to kick-start his career.

After early success in his career with Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest, Clough has struggled for regular action in the past couple of seasons at the City Ground and he sees the opportunity to play for Latics in Sky Bet League One as a perfect one.

“I’m really pleased that Leam has shown the confidence in me,” Clough explained. “I’ve not played too much football but I’m excited to get going and I can’t wait.

“Physically I’ve been working really hard with the U23 group at Forest. The schedule is really intense with people like Andy Reid taking the sessions every day. They’re really good coaches and I have been on a good gym programme so I’ve been developing a lot off the pitch and working on my game a hell of a lot - I’m in a really good place physically. I can’t wait to get back playing games every week and getting match sharpness and hopefully that will come quickly.

“[The motivation] is to play football again. I’ve missed the Saturday feeling, the Friday night feeling travelling with the lads. Being around a first team environment, it’s been a long time coming and I’ve worked really hard for it and it’s a massive relief to sign to get here and get it done.

“It has been difficult [not playing regularly] but mentally I’ve been in a really good place because I knew it wouldn’t last forever and I will get the opportunity again. Now it’s come, I need to grab it with both hands and show everyone what I can do. What I did in the past is a long time ago and I need to kick start my career, score some goals and take Wigan in the right direction.”

Clough says he’s excited to bring his best football to the DW Stadium and that he’s encouraged by the team he’ll be walking in to, having spoken to former Forest teammate Tendayi Darikwa.

“I’m an attacking player and very attack minded,” Clough said. “I like playing off the left or in the middle as a number ten. I like to think I’m quite quick, technical and like to score goals and assist if I can.

“I’m looking forward to getting started in the blue and white and I thank Leam for giving me the opportunity. I’m looking forward to meeting the lads and I know one or two from playing at previous clubs so hopefully I will settle in quite quickly – I’m raring to go with the first game on Saturday.

“Tendayi only said positive things about Leam, who he worked with at Chesterfield. He said the group is really good and there’s a really good spirt amongst the group and he was desperate to get me in. Obviously, he’s played with me and I’m sure I’ll be able to help the team out in a number of ways and push them up the league hopefully.”

Zach Clough | “I’m looking forward to getting started in the blue and white and I thank Leam for giving me the opportunity”