The saga of Ivan Ramis’ move from Real Mallorca has finally ended with the player having decided to sign for Wigan Athletic.
Reports in Spain over the past few days suggested the central defender was about to sign for West Ham United after Wigan’s bid had been turned down but, according to Diaro de Mallorca, he has now decided to join countryman Roberto Martinez at the DW Stadium.
Ramis made it clear over the summer his heart was set on a move to the Premier League and Los Bermellones had agreed a €6m fee – the rescission clause in the player’s contract – with the Hammers.
However, the lure of playing under Martinez at Wigan proved too much to resist for the 27-year-old, as the club’s owner Dave Whelan told ESPN.
“Ivan has passed his medical and it is being concluded. It's down to the influence of Roberto [Martinez] because the player doesn't speak English and didn't want to go to West Ham, who had agreed a deal.
“But Roberto asked me to go out to Mallorca where I met their President and, with the club in receivership, they accepted my offer and I then went to see the player.”
Mallorca-born Ramis has been with his local club his entire career, apart from a loan spell with Real Valladolid in the 2005-06 season, and made his debut against Albacete in February 2004
