SCOTT Green today defended his decision to make the transfer U-turn that left Tranmere Rovers fuming and Wigan Athletic delighted.
The Wanderers utility player signed for the Latics in a £300,000 deal yesterday, 48 hours after saying he was heading for Rovers because he preferred to play Division One football.
Wigan boss John Deehan refused to take 'no' for an answer and convinced the 27-year-old Midlands man to reconsider - a move that led to Green signing a three-year Springfield Park contract.
Green, who will continue to live in Bolton, explained his change of heart: "Financially the deal was better, the location is better and I know from speaking to the chairman that Wigan is a very ambitous club.
"I joined Bolton when they were in the same league and it would be nice to think I could help Wigan to get where Bolton are now.
"I know Tranmere aren't happy but these things happen in football. It will all be forgotten in a couple of weeks."
Delighted Deehan said: "I always felt we were in with a very good chance.
"Maybe Tranmere jumped the gun by saying they had signed him but I spoke to Scott yesterday. He came over, met the chairman, looked at all our facilities and agreed to join us.
"I am pleased as Punch. He's the best player I could have got, who was available at this stage. To tempt him to move from the Premiership to the Second Division shows he has faith in our ability and the potential to go further."
Green's about-turn surprised Colin Todd, who had expected to see the transfer to Tranmere completed early next week. "He told me on Wednesday that he had turned Wigan down," the Wanderers boss said.
"He had the deal with Tranmere but he's realised he's made the wrong decision. It makes no difference to us because the fee was the same in either case."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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