Callum McManaman returns to Wigan Athletic!

Callum McManaman returns to Wigan Athletic on a one-year contract 

• Callum McManaman returns to Wigan Athletic!
• 2013 FA Cup Final Man of the Match agrees one-year deal at the DW Stadium
• McManaman: “I’m coming back here to hopefully create more memories.”

We are pleased to confirm that Callum McManaman has returned to Wigan Athletic on a one-year contract. 

McManaman, 32, has agreed to reunite with his former teammate Shaun Maloney at the DW Stadium ahead of the 2023/24 Sky Bet League One campaign, having earned a one-year contract after impressing in training over the last five months. 

Born in Liverpool, McManaman initially joined Latics as a 16-year-old in 2007 after leaving his boyhood club Everton. 

It didn’t take long for the winger to make an impression, and McManaman made his professional debut at the DW Stadium against Portsmouth in May 2009, becoming the Club’s youngest-ever player to feature in the Premier League. 

He later marked his first senior start against Hull City in the FA Cup with a goal in January 2011, before joining Blackpool on a three-month loan deal which provided McManaman with a newfound confidence to push on at Latics. 

McManaman’s breakthrough season came in the 2012/13 campaign when he established himself as a Premier League regular for Roberto Martinez’s side. He played a starring role in Latics’ road to the 2013 FA Cup Final, scoring key goals in the victories over Huddersfield Town, Everton and Millwall. 

His form culminated in the forward delivering a man-of-the-match performance at Wembley on the special day when Latics clinched their first-ever major trophy with a heroic 1-0 victory over Manchester City.

Despite Latics' relegation from the Premier League three days later, McManaman remained at the DW Stadium as the Club enjoyed another memorable campaign, including their first-ever participation in the Europa League and a run to the FA Cup Semi Finals where they defended the trophy with immense pride. 

He later departed Latics in January 2015 to join West Bromwich Albion, having spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland before returning to the DW Stadium for a sole season under Paul Cook in the 2018/19 campaign. 

After working with former Latics assistant boss Graeme Jones at Luton Town, McManaman enjoyed a stint in Australia with Melbourne Victoria before spending the 2021/22 campaign with League Two side Tranmere Rovers. 

 The 32-year-old was offered the opportunity to regain his fitness and get his career back on track by Maloney earlier this year, who knew the winger ever so well from when they both shared the field together at the DW Stadium. 

He impressed during his outings for Latics U21s side towards the end of 2022/23, helping Stephen Crainey’s side reach the Central League Cup Final, showing that he has still a lot to offer whilst being a real leadership figure. He deservedly worked his way into the Manager’s thoughts, who has now rewarded him with a one-year contract. 

McManaman will bring a wealth of experience to Maloney’s squad, boasting over 250 career appearances in both the Premier League and the EFL. While he is naturally proud of all of his previous achievements, McManaman is now determined to create some new memories at the place where he calls home.

Commenting on his move, McManaman said: 

“It feels incredible to be back at Wigan Athletic. I was really grateful to the Gaffer for giving me the opportunity to train with the Club and get my career back on track after a difficult 12 months. I feel like it’s one of my proudest achievements to earn this contract, as I’ve put in a lot of work behind the scenes because I’ve really wanted this opportunity to come back on merit. 

“I still have a lot to offer, and I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business with how my last spell here ended. 

“I am proud of what I have achieved with Wigan Athletic, but that is in the past now, and it’s time to create new memories. I’m going to give my all for this fantastic Football Club and I already cannot wait to play in front of the fans again.”

First Team Manager, Shaun Maloney added: 

“I’m really happy that Callum has decided to stay with us because he’s earned the right to have this opportunity. 

“When Callum first came here in February, I knew he had a tough time recently and I really wanted to give him an opportunity to get back to a level which we have all seen before. I have to say that the improvement, dedication and desire to be here since February is the reason why he has earned this contract. 

“Stephen Crainey did a brilliant job to get him up to the speed required to train with the first team, and after eight weeks, he started to have a big impact in first team training. At that moment I realised that if he continued to improve his physical levels, we had to keep him for the season.”