Wigan swoop to sign Fulham's Brown

The 30-year-old completed his medical this morning before completing the paperwork at the JJB Stadium and he could make his debut in a friendly against Barnsley tonight.

Brown is the Latics' seventh new face, following Titus Bramble, Antoine Sibierski, Mario Melchiot, Andreas Granqvist, Carlo Nash and Jason Koumas into the club.

Manager Chris Hutchings said: "Like all of our signings we have done extensive research on the player and I feel he is someone who brings something new to the table.

"We have worked really hard behind the scenes to make this one happen because I believe he will make a big difference to the side and I am really happy Michael has agreed to join us.

"He has huge Premier League experience and is an all-action player who can play a number of roles in the middle of the park.

"He is a totally committed defender, who never gives anything less than 100% to the cause and strengthens competition in those midfield areas even further.

"He has been a real fan's favourite everywhere he has gone and I'm sure it will be no different here."

Despite a number of new signings Hutchings is still looking to strengthen as he bids to avoid the last-day escape from relegation the club effected last season.

"Now the search goes on for more new blood; I still feel we need to add to the squad and we are optimistic that we can make further announcements, hopefully, sooner rather than later," he added on the club's website, www.wiganlatics.co.uk.

Hutchings has been linked to West Brom's Paul Robinson and believes the defender is "keen to come on board".

Robinson is seen as a ready-made replacement for left-back Leighton Baines, for whom Wigan turned down a bid from Everton yesterday.

"Robinson is a very good player, he's a tenacious full-back with plenty of experience," the manager told the Manchester Evening News.

"He has also shown a hunger for this club and is keen to come on board. Left-back is the only position we have not had cover for. We've been playing Kevin Kilbane there as a stop gap."

It is understood Robinson had a medical at Wigan yesterday and the fee would be about £1.5million, although Hutchings insisted he does not want to sell Baines, who turned down Sunderland after they had a £6million offer accepted earlier this month.

"We turned down a bid from Everton of £4million and a player, who they rate at around £2million," he told Radio Five Live.

"I have a very good relationship with Leighton and we'd like him to stay but we can't stop speculation or other clubs making offers."

But the former Bradford boss also confirmed that if the England Under-21 international was to leave, the Latics would be looking for a similar fee to the one agreed with the Black Cats.

"It wouldn't be very good business if we took less than that, so we'll be looking for that," he said.