Photo courtesy of the Daily Mail.

Wigan Athletic yesterday announced the signing of 21 year old Ryan Colclough from Crewe Alexandra. Although the fee is undisclosed it appears that the basic amount could be topped up, based on appearances, with Crewe receiving a proportion of any future transfer fee.

Given the torn calf injury suffered by Michael Jacobs, Colclough would seem an almost ideal replacement, nominally a winger but scoring his goals from more central positions behind the central striker.

On signing for Latics he told the club’s official site that “I will play anywhere across the front three.  I like to get on the ball, go one v one against a defender and I also like to have a shot and score a goal as well.” Colclough has already scored 8 goals this season in a struggling side.

Gary Caldwell, like many Latics fans, will have been impressed by Colclough’s displays against his club this season.  He is clearly a talented young player with much to offer.

The 6 ft tall Colclough was born in Burslem in the City of Stoke on Trent. He joined the Crewe set up at the age of 7 and progressed through their renowned academy, signing his first professional contract as a 17 year old. He made his senior debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient in September 2012 soon after.

However, Colclough’s career was to be upset by injury. He spent 16 months out of action with a groin injury.

In October 2014 he had told the Stoke Sentinel that:  “It’s been really hard, it played on my mind a lot and I’ve had a lot of down days, but I’m just happy to be back training. Obviously I have got dreams and want to get back to playing, and when I do I’m sure I’ll get back to doing what I was doing before, if not even better. “I’ve overcome my injury now, it’s just a matter of getting fit and I will prove myself, it’s not a matter of if, I will.”

In March 2015 he made his return for the under 21 side, when he won and scored a penalty against Colchester United.

Last summer Colclough had a trial at Wolves, but he went on to sign a two year contract for the Railwaymen. This season he has put the injury worries behind him and been a star performer for Alexandra. He made 40 starts at Crewe, with 28 appearances off the bench, scoring 13 goals.

In order to learn more about Colclough we reached out to Crewe fans on Twitter.

TimT (@Tants_88) comments that:

Wigan have bought a player with great potential in Ryan Colclough. Unfortunately for Crewe Alex fans we haven’t seen as much of him as we liked due to some serious injuries that he’s done very well to overcome.

Colclough can play on either wing or very effectively as a front man and enjoys taking players on and using his skill and pace to beat them. He’s capable of some stunning strikes but as with all younger players learning their trade, be prepared for some shots to be way off the mark when passing could have been the better choice.

I’m inclined to say you’ve got a bargain as the fee is undisclosed. This usually means one party has overpaid or sold too low, in this instance I think Wigan have approached Crewe at the right time but hopefully we’ll benefit from a sell on when he does well for you. He has had some off the field incidents in his life but hopefully those, along with his injuries are behind him now. All in all you’ve bought a good all round attacking player that will only get better with time.

James Tait )

Ryan Colclough. Call him Coco. A few close run-ins with the law involving an assault and a taser. On the pitch, he is inconsistent, raw and frustrating, but he’s also maturing every game and cooling his head.

He’s selfish, but a good kind of selfish, excellent dribbling, pretty quick and I’d always back him score in any game. Injuries have been a concern but he seems past that now. He really has carried us (Crewe) all season and is the only reason we aren’t already relegated.

DavidM (@David Morris26) says:

Ryan has the ability and skill to be a match winner.

Has a good eye for a goal and the pace and tricks to worry defenders. Decision making can be a little wayward and sometimes forgets his defensive duties.He will certainly be a good asset to your team wish him and Wigan all the best for the rest of the season.

This article from the Stoke Sentinel taks about Colclough leaving Crewe.