ridgewell

[Les_bradds_lad]

Liam Ridgewell has become Malky Mackay's first signing at Wigan after joining on a six-week loan from Portland Timbers.

Mackay told the club's official website: "As soon as we found out Liam was a possibility, we moved quickly. We have him until the start of the MLS season in mid-February and hopefully we can make good use of his experience in that time.

"He is a top-pro who has spent the majority of his career in the Premier League but he also knows this league inside out having earned promotion with Birmingham and he will add the kind of experience that will be crucial to us at this time."

[Les_bradds_lad]

10 FACTS ABOUT LIAM RIDGEWELL

1. The 30-year-old defender was born in Bexley Heath, the same district of South East London as former midfielder Jimmy Bullard.

2. Made his professional debut on 13 October 2002 aged 18 whilst on loan at AFC Bournemouth. Came on as an 89th minute substitute against Hartlepool United, up against one-time Latics loanee Tommy Widdrington.

3. In his formative years, Ridgewell represented England Under 19s once, before playing eight times for the Under 21s.

4. Met Latics for the first time on 22 October 2005 as an Aston Villa player. An Aaron Hughes own goal and a goal from Alan Mahon saw Latics win 2-0 at Villa Park.

5. Ridgewell has played for three Midlands based clubs, Aston Villa (2001-2007), Birmingham City (2007-2012) and West Bromwich Albion (2012-2014).

6. The defender has faced Latics 11 times whilst with those three clubs, scoring three goals (one for Villa and two for Birmingham).

7. Won the League Cup with Birmingham in 2011 as a te