- Five Players Sign Professional Contracts
- Baba Adeeko, Tom Costello, Harry McGee, Harry McHugh and Sam Tickle have agreed professional deals with Wigan Athletic
- The young lads impressed with their performances as Latics U18s were crowned as Professional Development League National Champions
Wigan Athletic are delighted to confirm that five Academy players have signed professional contracts with the Club.
Goalkeeper Sam Tickle, central midfielders Baba Adeeko, Harry McGee, Harry McHugh, and forward Tom Costello have all put pen to paper at the DW Stadium after impressing in the Club’s Academy system.
Adeeko, 18, is a central midfielder who is comfortable in possession with both feet. Hailing from the Republic of Ireland, Adeeko played a pivotal part in helping the Under 18s retain the Professional Development League North title last term, in addition to featuring for the Under 23s.
McGee, 18, is a tough-tackling and combative central midfielder. He joined the Club from Tranmere Rovers and was a regular for Kieran Driscoll’s Under 18s last season, as well as featuring for the Under 23s. He is a competitive box-to-box midfielder who makes powerful runs forward both with and without the ball.
McHugh, 18, is an attacking midfielder who is extremely technical and can execute a range of passing. He joined the Club as an U13 following a spell at Everton, and contributed to a number of goals and assists for Latics U18s in the 2020-21 campaign, before returning from injury at the back end of the season to help Latics become National Champions at the Valley last month. He also scored his first senior goal for the Club in a 2-2 draw at Tranmere Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Tickle, 19, has previously represented England School Boys as an Under 16 and has been involved with the first-team squad and the Under 23s since 2020. Tickle joined Wigan Athletic in 2012 and is an exceptional character with a bright future ahead.
Costello, 18, joined the academy from Tranmere Rovers as an Under 15. He is a hard-working and robust centre forward who has scored a number of key goals for the Under 18s this season, including in the 2-1 PDL Semi Final victory over Ipswich Town. A forward player with a real physical presence, Costello won the divisional Golden Boot for the Under 18s Professional Development League, with an impressive 21 goals.
Speaking about the five professional deals, Academy manager Gregor Rioch said:
“I think it’s great for the lads who have extended their time with us. It is brilliant for them to sign their first professional contracts because they now get an opportunity to further their career here with the Football Club.
“Leam and this Football Club have shown that it’ll provide an opportunity for the young players who work hard enough, invest time in themselves, and want to progress as professional footballers and try to get careers in the game.
“I think it is an exciting time because they’ve seen it is possible to break through and get first-team action at our Football Club.
“There are exciting times ahead with the rebuild of the Club, and it's a chance to be part of something special. They have already been a part of something special in the Academy this year.
“The next step is now about forging a career in the game. We will be looking as a Football Club, and as a Football Academy, to continue to nurture and develop them as people."