NEWCASTLE United defender Kell Watts has rejoined Wigan Athletic on loan, to the delight of Latics boss Shaun Maloney.

Watts impressed on loan at the DW Stadium two seasons ago before having a spell with Peterborough last term.

Now, he will link up with the Latics again for the entirety of the coming campaign, with the centre-half saying the switch feels like he's going "back home".

The 23-year-old said: “When it first came about, it was something that I was really looking forward to doing. The last time I was here, it felt like home, so it’s nice to be back home!

“Last time I was here, I created memories that will last my whole career, and I’m wanting to make more memories in a Wigan shirt now.”

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Delighted Wigan boss Maloney said: “I’m really happy that we’ve managed to secure Kell’s return. A left-sided centre-back is a difficult profile to get, so he’s a really positive signing for us.

“Off the pitch, he’s the right type of character that we need, and he was extremely popular amongst staff and previous players during his last loan here.

“He’s a really important signing for us. It’s took us some time but I really appreciate the work of Newcastle United and the people here at Wigan have done to get that through.”

Watts made his Premier League debut for his boyhood club Newcastle on the final day of the 2019/20 campaign against Liverpool.

He's played more than 100 times in the EFL having previously had spells at Stevenage, Mansfield and Plymouth.

Wigan will start the League One campaign on minus eight points having been unable to deposit funds to cover their wage bill in May.