Kim Bo-kyung: Wigan Athletic sign former Cardiff midfielder

Kim Bo-kyung had made just five appearances for Cardiff this season before being released

Wigan boss Malky Mackay has signed Kim Bo-kyung, the player who was allegedly the subject of an offensive text message sent by the Scot.

Mackay was Cardiff manager when the Welsh side signed the 25-year-old South Korea international.

The 42-year-old admitted to sending offensive messages, one allegedly about Kim, to colleague Iain Moody, for which he later apologised.

The midfielder joins on a contract until the end of the season.

He told the club website: "I am very happy to be joining up with the gaffer again.

"I really enjoyed working with him in the past and he helped me so much in my career. He gave me the chance to fulfil my dream of playing in England and I am now looking forward so much to working with him again.

"We had various offers from the UK and abroad but when the chance came to be with the gaffer again at Wigan, this really was the only place I wanted to come."

Kim moved to Cardiff from Japanese side Cerezo Osaka for around £2m in 2012 and made 64 appearances for the club scoring three goals, but left the Bluebirds last month by mutual agreement.

The furore over the text messages arose following Mackay's departure from the Cardiff City Stadium and cost him the chance to take over at Crystal Palace last summer.

However, Kim's agent Lee Yeung-joong said the player was looking forward to being reunited with Mackay.

"When Kim Bo first joined Cardiff in 2012, Malky showed him so much warmth and understanding and helped him integrate into the British culture, on and off the field. This experience made the decision to come to Wigan now a very easy one," he commented.