Andy Webster - Player Profile

Andy’s transfer to Wigan Athletic was unique in the annals of the game. He was the first ever player to walk out of a club whilst still under contract, using a brand new FIFA employment law, which meant that he could not gain employment with any other Scottish club, but was free to sign for anyone else in the world. Latics manager Paul Jewell was in the hunt for the player for many months before he finally agreed to sign on at the JJB Stadium on 10th August 2006. However, the deal only went through on 4th September 2006 after legal wrangling as to who exactly was responsible for paying Hearts a compensation fee.

His first game for the club came against Halifax Town in a ‘behind closed doors’ friendly played at the New Shay on 25th September 2006. Latics won the game 5-1 with one of Andy’s fellow debutants, Svetoslav Todorov scoring one of the goals. He made his Latics Premiership debut on 21st October 2006 at the JJB Stadium against Manchester City in a game that resulted in a 4-0 win for Latics. He replaced the injured Fitz Hall for the start of the second half.

He struggled to adjust to the pace of the Premiership, and after making just 3+1 Premiership appearances for the Blues, he was loaned to Rangers on 5th January 2007, Latics signed David Unsworth on a free transfer from Premiership rivals Sheffield United as cover on the same day.

He spent a secon loan perioid at Ibrox on 31st August 2007 and signed permanently for the ‘Gers at the start of season 2008/09 for an undisclosed fee after an injury ravaged 18 months loan spell at Ibrox. By 16th August 2008 he had been loan

ed out to Championship outfit, Bristol City