PLAYER PROFILE

Josip Skoko

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'10

Weight: 12st 2lbs

Date of Birth: 1975-12-10 Mount Gambier, Australia

Josip Skoko

Wigan Athletic completed the signing of Australia midfielder Josip Skoko from Turkish club Genclerbirligi in the summer of 2005.

The 29-year-old had agreed terms for a two-year contract earlier but his move was held up by problems obtaining a work permit.

And these troubles proved to be a bad omen for Skoko as, in his first season of English football, he made just eleven appearances for his new side, before being loaned out to Stoke City in February 2006.

He enjoyed far more success in the 2006/07 season though as he filled the holes vacated by Jimmy Bullard and Graham Kavanagh. He made 29 appearances all in all and looks set to be a vital figure in the 2007/08 campaign.