NEWPORT’S Lee Evans has completed his move from Sheffield United to Wigan Athletic, initially on loan, with a permanent transfer agreed for January.

The 24-year-old Wales international will sign a two-and-a-half year deal at the DW Stadium once the transfer window reopens on January 1.

Evans, who started his career at his hometown club after graduating from the Newport County AFC academy, scored three goals in 23 appearances for Latics last season in a loan spell from Wolverhampton Wanderers before moving to Sheffield in January.

Latics boss Paul Cook said: “We loved working with Lee last season and our supporters know all about the quality he brings to our squad.

“Lee played quite a few games in the Championship last season and is involved with the Wales squad as well, so he has great pedigree and we hope he picks up where he left off here at the DW Stadium.”

And Evans told iFollow Latics that he was over the moon to make his return to the DW.

“I am delighted to be back,” Evans said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my previous spell with the club, I loved my time here and it was taken out of my hands when I had to leave but I am delighted to be back.

“This move came a little bit out of left field but I am over the moon to be back.

“I think I have [played some of my best football at Wigan Athletic]; that first six months with the club, I think we were playing really well, we had a settled team and a team that was winning games consistently and I think that then carried on for me, personally, in the second half of the season at Sheffield United.

“I enjoyed my time with Sheffield United, met a lot of great people along the way, but this has come up as another fantastic opportunity for me.

“I think adding more caps for Wales has been great for me personally and then playing regularly for Sheffield United in the Championship has been good too, I know what to expect after that half season and the few before I had been involved with for Wolves as well.”

Evans continued by saying Cook was a huge factor in his decision to return to the DW.

“The manager is a massive reason as to why I have come back,” he continued. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him, Leam [Richardson] and Ant [Barry] – all the staff really – and it was a tough thing when I did have to leave Wigan. I have kept in touch with them and for them to show their faith in me in a permanent deal is great.”

The Exiles benefited from a sell-on fee when Evans swapped Molineux for Bramall Lane but they will not receive any money from his latest move.