Transfer News: Wigan Athletic have signed Swiss international midfielder Reto Ziegler from Tottenham Hotspur on loan until the end of the season, the Lancashire club confirmed today.
The 20-year-old left-sided player has been on loan at German club Hamburg SV this season, where he made eight appearances, including three in the UEFA Cup, before returning to Spurs earlier this month.
Ziegler signed for Tottenham on transfer deadline day in August 2004 from Grasshoppers and made 23 appearances in his first season, scoring one goal, in the 5-2 New Year's Day victory over Everton.
He has three caps for Switzerland and a regular run in the Wigan side will boost his chances of making the World Cup squad.
"We are delighted Reto has agreed to come on board," Wigan manager Paul Jewell told the club's website. "He is a highly regarded player at Tottenham and will add competition to the squad here. He's a strong six footer with a lot of pace and hunger and has packed a lot of experience into his short career so far. I'm sure the fans will take to him."
Ziegler is eligible to play for Wigan Athletic in the League Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal (Tuesday) and next weekend's FA Cup fourth round tie against Manchester City.
Hammers to parade Ashton
Meanwhile, West Ham are set to parade new £7million striker Dean Ashton to the Upton Park crowd ahead of the Premiership clash with Fulham tonight.
The Hammers will smash their record transfer fee to sign the England Under-21 international after emerging as the only club willing to meet Norwich's asking price.
Ashton only joined the Canaries from Crewe for £3million last January and despite scoring seven goals in 16 appearances he could not help save the Norfolk club from relegation.
The 22-year-old has netted 11 times in a Coca-Cola Championship campaign hampered by injury and yesterday agreed personal terms before undergoing a medical.
West Ham will pay an initial £7million, plus a conditional £250,000, while a 15 per cent sell-on clause has also been negotiated by the Norfolk club.
Of the main transfer fee £1.5million is payable immediately to Crewe and Ashton himself under the terms of the deal which brought the striker to Carrow Road in Norwich's club record deal this time last year.
Ashton will be officially unveiled at a 6pm press conference ahead of tonight's Premiership fixture before then being presented to the crowd.
Boro terminate Xavier's contract
Middlesbrough have confirmed that defender Abel Xavier's contract has been terminated as he continues his fight against a drugs ban.
The 33-year-old Portugal international failed a drugs test after Boro's 0-0 UEFA Cup draw with Xanthi in Greece last September and was subsequently suspended for 18 months.
Xavier, who joined Boro on a 12-month contract earlier this season, lost an appeal in December and although he has vowed to continue his fight by taking his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Teessiders have moved to end their involvement with the player.
