Antonio Valencia Bids Farewell To Wigan Athletic Fans

The Ecuador winger hopes the Latics fans can understand his reasons for moving...

01-Jul-2009 1:35:55 AM

More On :  Manchester United
EPL: Ricardo Gardner - Antonio Valencia, Bolton Wanderers - Wigan Athletic (PA)

Antonio Valencia left Wigan Athletic today to join Manchester United for an undisclosed fee and has thanked the club for his time there, and hopes that they will at least benefit financially from his departure.

"I hope the fans at Wigan can understand that I am an ambitious guy and a chance like this might never come again for me," he told Athletic's official website.

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"I am happy that the club has benefited from the move financially because I owe Wigan such a lot. I have had a great time here."

Valencia also expressed a certain measure of regret at the fact that he would not get the opportunity to work with new Latics manager Roberto Martinez, a man whom he clearly respects as a coach.

"It was Paul Jewell who first took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to play in England," the player added.

"Chris Hutchings and Steve Bruce helped me to progress and it is a shame I won't get the chance to work with Roberto because he is a great young manager and I'm sure his style of football would have suited me."

And the winger also wished the club all the best in the future, concluding,
"I hope and pray that he will help Wigan progress because this is a great club that really gave me my chance."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

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