You are here: Home > News > Wigan swoop for Watson
April 23 2026 2.30am

Wigan swoop for Watson

January 26 2009

Ben Watson

Ben Watson

Crystal Palace star Ben Watson has joined Wigan Athletic for £2million.

The midfielder was set to sign for Middlesbrough last week but the move collapsed after Watson reportedly failed to agree terms.

This alerted Wigan manager Steve Bruce who persuaded the Palace Academy graduate to pen a three-and-a-half year deal after the Latics matched the transfer fee.

Watson, 23, is relishing the prospect of a return to the Premier League after an unsuccessful stint with Palace in 2005.

"It's great to be back in the Premier League," said Watson. "Steve Bruce is the big pull here, it's a great time to be joining the club and I'm joining a team who are really flying.

"I want to thank everyone at Palace, and all the supporters, because they have been great to me, but this is a terrific opportunity for me to play in the top flight again and I just felt the time was right for a move for me. I just can't wait to meet everyone and get started now."

Bruce said: "We have been watching Ben for some time and believe he has the maturity to step back to the highest level and make an impression. He's a midfielder who scores goals. He's got quick feet, plenty of power and is a terrific prospect.

"I wanted to move quickly to start filling the gap left by Wilson Palacios and Ben is the start of that process."

Bruce added: "It speaks volumes about the progress of the club that we can compete with established Premier League clubs for players and I am delighted that Ben has agreed to join us. I think our supporters will take to him quickly because he's a real hundred percenter."

Watson made his debut against Watford aged 17 in 2003 and played 189 times for the Eagles, scoring 20 goals.

Latest Headlines

Palace Talk Forum Latest

Palace u18
at 11.10pm by DANGERCLOSE

Marc GuƩhi
at 10.40pm by steeleye20

Next manager poll
at 10.18pm by Glazier#1

Brighton are not the enemy (nor are Millwall)
at 10.16pm by iheartcpfc

Sorloth
at 9.53pm by BromleyMonkey

So Why the Long Throw ?
at 3.17pm by BromleyMonkey

What Do We Need Next Season
at 3.10pm by Linford

Crstal Palace vs West Ham match thread
at 1.49pm by CPFCSaturn

Prem run in
at 12.35pm by Nicholas91

Liverpool Predictions.
at 6.45am by mtp1958

You are here: Home > News > Wigan swoop for Watson