Wigan swoop for Beausejour

Wigan have completed the signing of Chile midfielder Jean Beausejour from Birmingham.

The 27-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee, agreeing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the relegation-threatened Premier League club.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez told his club's website: "Jean is a player we have been tracking for a long time since he made a huge impression on us with his role for Chile in the World Cup."

Beausejour joined Birmingham in the summer of 2010 from Mexican side Club America.

He played 56 times for Blues, including last year's Carling Cup final victory over Arsenal and the subsequent Europa League campaign, in which he scored against Club Brugge .

Martinez added: "Now Jean has 18 months of experience in the British game and his dynamism, technical ability and tactical concepts will bring a different dimension into our squad.

"He is ready to bring his own experience and his energy into the fantastic challenge that as a football club we're facing in the next 16 games of the season."

Beausejour, who has made 43 appearances for Chile and scored against Honduras in the 2010 World Cup, was impressed by his new manager's ambition.

"Roberto told me about the plans he has for the club and I am really excited to join and meet my team-mates," he said. "We have a really tough end of the season, but I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I want to thank all the supporters at Birmingham and now I have to concentrate on getting in the team and doing my best for Wigan Athletic."