Kell Watts returns to Wigan on loan from Newcastle United

Wigan Athletic has announced the return of Kell Watts for the 2023/24 Sky Bet League One campaign.

The 23-year-old defender rejoins the club on a season-long loan from Premier League side Newcastle United. 

Alnwick-born Watts featured in 35 matches for the club and contributed to 15 clean sheets. 

Watts's career began at Newcastle United, his boyhood club, where he progressed through the ranks to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool FC on the final day of the 2019/20 season.

Loan spells at Stevenage and Mansfield Town in League Two honed his skills and prepared him for his first stint at Wigan Athletic in 2021, followed by another loan at Peterborough United.

Excited about his return, Watts 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.”

Wigan Athletic's First-Team Manager, Shaun Maloney, expressed his pleasure at Watts's return.

“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,"

Maloney said. "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.”