Birmingham City of England academy product, Viv Solomon-Otabor has staged a dramatic return to lower division side, Wigan Athletic, in a loan deal that will run until the end of this season, megasportsarena.com reports.
The 25-year-old is back for a second spell at DW Stadium and will seek to remain with the third-tier outfit beyond this summer, after he impressed in the first half of the campaign, providing two assists amid numerous impressive displays for the English League One side.
His progress was curtailed following an injury setback in a league outing against Plymouth Argyle on October 24, 2020; but he has now inked another short term deal that will keep him at The Latics, which he initially joined on a month’s deal in September 2020.
That deal was extended the following month until January 4 and the youngster, who had been ever-present in Wigan’s squad until he suffered a serious injury in a 1-1 draw against Plymouth Argyle on October 24, 2020, snubbed similar offers from the other League One club’s.
Wigan got the swoop despite Charlton Athletic and Doncaster Rovers battling them for Otabor’s signature, but he strangely turned down a move to both clubs who are above Wigan in the table and pushing for promotion.
Solomon-Otabor, who has also played for Crystal Palace, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Portsmouth, is not yet in tip-top condition and missed the chance of a straightaway a second debut for Wigan when they talked Swindon Town on Tuesday evening.
The enterprising lad, who is close to full fitness after a lengthy injury layoff, will remain with Leam Richardson’s squad for the next six months, during which he confessed that his aim would be to set DW Stadium alight.
“I’m pleased and also happy to be back fit. I’m working again and training with the team and being able to get back to myself again – like I was before I was injured – is good and I am pleased to sign until the end of the season.
“This week gives me a full week’s training to be in contention to play Saturday whether that’s from the beginning or coming off the bench and playing a part and showing everyone that I’m back playing.
“It’s been tough; I’ve never had a long-term injury where I’ve had an operation before, so it was mentally challenging for me, my family and my close friends. It was a process and I needed to get over it and get back to myself again and get as fit as possible.
“It’s a blessing to be back and be able to compete with the boys and play. I can’t thank the club enough; all the staff and everyone for the support and for their help coming in the mornings – Saturday and Sunday.
“To help me ultimately get fit and get back to what I was doing before I was injured which was playing football and enjoying it. Now that I’m back everyone can be happy and proud when I step out on the pitch and show the work that has been done together.
“I really appreciate what the club have done for me in the last three to four months,” Solomon-Otabor told Latics TV.
