91Èȱ¬

Striker Grant Holt has said the chance to play European football with Wigan convinced him to join the Latics from Norwich for a fee in the region of £2m.

Wigan were , external but will play in the Europa League next season after winning the FA Cup - their first major trophy.

"The Europa League was a massive pull for me," Holt told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Cumbria.

"It's something I've never done in my career and I'm hoping we can have a good spell in that."

Carlisle-born Holt, 32, agreed a three-year contract to become new Wigan manager Owen Coyle's seventh summer signing.

During his time at Norwich, Holt scored 78 goals in 168 appearances and helped the Canaries win back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

And he admitted he had left Carrow Road with a heavy heart.

"It's hard to leave Norwich because I've had four unbelievable years there. It's tough to leave but I was ready for a new challenge," added the former Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury forward.

"This is a great move for me. I've got a three-year deal with a club that wants to get back into the Premier League and a lot of people know I've been keen to get back up north as I've got older.

"Hopefully at some point, we'll either get them [Norwich] in the cup or we'll go up and we'll play them in the Premier League, so I can get the chance to go back and hopefully I'll get a good welcome."