By Alan G
January 23 2006

Tottenham Hotspur’s highly rated 20 year old Swiss midfielder Reto Ziegler has sign on loan for Wigan Athletic until the end of the season after being recalled from SV Hamburg. The 20-year-old Switzerland full-back had been expected to stay on loan in Germany until the end of the season.

A delighted Paul Jewell said: Reto is a highly-regarded player at Spurs and will add competition to the squad here.

"He is a strong six-footer with a lot of pace and hunger and has packed a lot of experience into his short career so far."

Hamburg's Sporting Director, Dietmar Beiersdorfer, said: "We wanted to keep Reto in our squad but we wish him all the best for the future. He is a fantastic player."

Ziegler is available to play in the cups against Arsenal and Manchester City but under Premier League rules, is ineligible for the visit of Spurs in February.

 

Ziegler is looking forward to turning out for the Latics, saying: "I really like the atmosphere at Wigan already. It is difficult when you don't know all the players but everyone has already made me feel very welcome. There seems to be a really good spirit amongst the players.

"Having spoken to the manager and had a training session, it is obvious that the work ethic is very high here, which exactly suits my game. I love the Premiership. It is exactly the sort of league I prefer to play in, where it is very physical, very quick and teams go for 90 minutes. In Germany, things are a little different, slower and tactical. I much prefer the English game.

 

"I enjoyed it in Germany, but Tottenham were not happy with the amount of games I was playing and decided to bring me back. I know there were three or four clubs interested in me, but when I heard one of them was Wigan I thought this was the best option for me.

 

"We are a young team full of energy and hunger and there is absolutely no fear in the dressing room, a feeling we can win every game. There are some good players here and I know I¹ll need to fight for my place. I just want the chance to play and to show everyone what I can do.

 

"I don't think anyone needs motivation to face Arsenal. I don't think the Tottenham link makes things any different as far as I'm concerned. They are one of the best teams in Europe and to face them in a semi-final going into the game with a with a 1-0 lead is enough incentive. It is a big game to come into but to be able to play a role in getting the club to its first ever major final would be great.

 

"But really, I'm looking ahead to the rest of the season. I hope to be able to get as many games under my belt as possible because it is my dream to play in the World Cup for Switzerland and I know that if I have a good run between now and May, then of course it will help my chances.

 

"It helps that Stephane (Henchoz) is here, because I know him well from the Switzerland squad, where he was involved in my first game, against France.

 

“Beyond this season I don't know. I am still contracted to Tottenham and I will see how things go. For a young player like me in a World Cup year, I am just anxious to play and to show everyone, the Wigan fans, the Wigan manager and the Switzerland manager Kobi Kuhn, what I can do. But at the moment my number one priority is to play well for Wigan, starting against Arsenal if I'm selected."