Wigan sign Manchester United striker Angelo Henriquez on loan

The Chilean international joined United last summer

Wigan this morning completed the loan signing of Angelo Henriquez from Manchester United.

The move, which was expected, will see 18-year-old Chilean Henriquez join Wigan for the rest of the current season.

Henriquez was brought in by United last summer from Universidad de Chile and has already made his full international debut, with Latics manager Roberto Martinez hoping he can make a big contribution over the coming months.

Wigan are in a familiar position of battling to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League and lost 4-0 to United yesterday.

Martinez told Wigan's official website: "We're really excited about Angelo because he is a very young man with a huge potential; he's a goalscorer with clever movement inside the box and has had a very successful time with his former club Universidad.

"We hope to have a good partnership in terms of allowing Angelo to develop as a footballer and learn of the demands of the English game, because I feel he can bring us something different in the forward line.

"I'm sure the fans will give him a great welcome on Saturday and it will provide him with the perfect opportunity to begin his experiences on the pitch in English football which is very exciting."

Henriquez could make his Wigan debut in Saturday's FA Cup third-round home clash with League One side Bournemouth.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am really excited after the manager has given this chance for me to prove myself," the teenage striker said.

"Now I need to work to try and earn my place in the team."

He becomes the second mid-season recruit by Wigan, who confirmed the signing of Honduran midfielder Roger Espinoza from Sporting Kansas City last month and are waiting for the Honduras international to obtain a visa.

PA