Jonathan Jackson - Rodallega Decision Was Right

The contract of the Latics all time Premier League goal scorer Hugo Rodallega is due to expire on Saturday, giving the Colombia international the freedom to move to any club that he can agree terms with and leaving the Latics without compensation for the player who cost £4.5 million in January 2009

A firm fans favourite Rodallega courted attention and adoration during his 3 ½ years at the DW Stadium, even though it was common knowledge that he'd refused a contract extension the reception when Rodallega came onto the field as a 78th minute substitute in the final game of the season showed the esteem that he is held in by the Latics supporters

Some have been critical about the club allowing Rodallega to run down his contract and leave on a free, comments have been made that more should have been done to sell him last summer, but Rodallega featured in the Copa America for Colombia, the competition ran until 24th July meaning that he was a late returner for preseason and obviously any negotiations over either extending his contract or agreeing a sale would have been affected by the transfer window deadline

Latics Chief Executive Jonathan Jackson defends the clubs decision not to sell last summer when suitors were trying to rush deals through, speaking to the Wigan Evening Post Jackson said: 'For any transfer to take place, there has to be agreement with three parties'

'Both clubs and the player have to want the deal to happen - and we never achieved that with regards to Hugo.

'We moved on, and Hugo was our player for the rest of the season. At the time it was the right decision, and that remains the case.'

The stats back up Jackson, last season Rodallega made 23 Premier League appearances, 12 of which were off the bench, he may have only managed 2 goals, but he did make 6 assists, which was joint second highest in the Latics squad along with Victor Moses

Celtic, Stoke, Villa and a move back to South America have all been mooted in recent weeks for Rodallega, wherever he goes I'm positive he'll take the best wishes of all Latics fans with him

Hugo in his last game in Latics colours

By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

















Latics and Proud



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