The Latics have signed ex-Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond and he is relishing the prospect of a new challenge in his career. Diamond has been plagued with an ankle injury which scuppered a move to Hearts but he confessed, “I have played 65/70 games since then without a problem. It is bizarre. In hindsight, it was probably a blessing in disguise as it has got me out of Scotland after nine years and given me the chance to play in England."
He explained, "I cannot wait to get started. I spent nine years in the Scottish Premier League at Aberdeen and you can become stale. This is a fresh challenge and, when you look at the teams in League One, it is a competitive division. The chance to play in the cup competitions was also a major factor and a bonus and I cannot wait until the first day of the season."
"It is a career-changing move for myself and the management and backroom staff sold the club to me. Once I had spoken to them, all I wanted to do was put pen to paper. I don't think the negotiations took that long which benefits both myself and the team. I cannot wait to get started. I have heard about last season and how the team faded. Now I am on board along with one or two others, hopefully we can put that right and stay in the top six."
"They are a great bunch of lads who are young, enthusiastic and want to do well, and I want to be part of it which is why I signed. My immediate goal is to do well here and I am not one who likes to look years into the future. I want to take each day and training session as it comes and I intend to enjoy every minute of it."