Wigan Athletic signs Finley Burns from Manchester City on three-year deal

Wigan Athletic announced the signing of 21‑year‑old defender Finley Burns from Manchester City on a three‑year contract. The deal was completed on Tuesday after the League One club secured the player on a free transfer, following the expiration of his contract at City. Burns, a centre‑back who has trained with City’s first team and gained experience on loan at lower‑league clubs, will join Wigan for the remainder of the 2024‑25 season.

The move comes as Wigan seeks to shore up a defence that has struggled to hold clean sheets in the early part of the campaign. The club finished 19th last season and was relegated from the Championship, and manager Lee Johnson has been building a squad capable of a quick return. Burns brings Premier League experience from his time at City’s academy and a handful of senior appearances, as well as Championship experience from loan spells at clubs such as Fleetwood Town and Swindon Town. His height, aerial ability and calm composure in the back line are seen as assets that could help tighten Wigan’s defensive record. Johnson praised the player’s potential, saying the club had been watching Burns’ development and believed he would add depth and quality to the squad.

Wigan’s next steps involve integrating Burns into pre‑season training and assessing his fit against the existing back four. The club’s transfer budget is modest, so the free transfer of a player with City pedigree is a low‑risk, high‑potential investment. Burns will face the challenge of adapting to the physicality of League One, but his experience in higher tiers suggests he can handle the step. If he performs well, he could become a key figure in Wigan’s push for promotion and a possible future sell‑on target, providing both sporting and financial benefits for the club.