Grant Holt enticed to Wigan by Europa League opportunity

Striker Grant Holt has said the chance to play European football with Wigan convinced him to join the Latics from Norwich for a fee in the region of £2m.

Wigan were but will play in the Europa League next season after winning the FA Cup - their first major trophy.

"The Europa League was a massive pull for me," Holt told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"It's something I've never done in my career and I'm hoping we can have a good spell in that."

Carlisle-born Holt, 32, agreed a three-year contract to become new Wigan manager Owen Coyle's seventh summer signing.

During his time at Norwich, Holt scored 78 goals in 168 appearances and helped the Canaries win back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

And he admitted he had left Carrow Road with a heavy heart.

"It's hard to leave Norwich because I've had four unbelievable years there. It's tough to leave but I was ready for a new challenge," added the former Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury forward.

"This is a great move for me. I've got a three-year deal with a club that wants to get back into the Premier League and a lot of people know I've been keen to get back up north as I've got older.

"Hopefully at some point, we'll either get them [Norwich] in the cup or we'll go up and we'll play them in the Premier League, so I can get the chance to go back and hopefully I'll get a good welcome."