The second and final outgoing of Rovers’ deadline day business, which continued into Friday morning due to EFL ratification, has seen Rovers’ skipper Charlie Mulgrew confirmed as Wigan Athletic’s latest incoming, after signing on a season-long loan with the Latics.
After agreeing a new deal with Rovers until the summer of 2021, in November, this move has raised a few eyebrows around East Lancashire, with the skipper seemingly part of Tony Mowbray’s plans before the sudden move arose.
The set-piece specialist departs Ewood Park having notched 27 goals for the club, with 14 of them coming during Rovers’ promotion campaign from League One, including the promotion-clinching goal in the 1-0 victory away at Doncaster Rovers which sealed Rovers’ immediate return to the Championship.
Although the Scottish international was seen as a pivotal figure within Rovers’ squad, both on and off the field, Mulgrew departs to Rovers’ Championship rivals as a coup, following the Latics losing central defender Dan Burn back to Brighton and Hove Albion, following the end of his loan spell.
Whilst Tony Mowbray was frustrated with his defence towards the end of last season, after they shipped 69 league goals, there was hope around Blackburn that the defensive area would be strengthened without the need for departures from the same area, however Mowbray clearly seems satisfied with the defensive options available to him after bringing in both Tosin Adarabioyo and Greg Cunningham, which gave Wigan the green light to complete the Mulgrew deal.
Whether Wigan potentially turn the loan move into a permanent one, either in January or in the summer remains to be seen, however, whatever materialises, Mulgrew will remain revered around Ewood Park, following his goalscoring exploits.
