JAMES TAVERNIER has completed his transfer from Newcastle United to Championship club Wigan Athletic.

Full-back Tavernier leaves the Magpies for an undisclosed fee, having made just nine senior appearances for the club.

The 22-year-old made his senior Newcastle debut in a League Cup game against Peterborough United in September 2009, but was unable to force his way into the first-team squad on a regular basis.

He had loan spells at Gateshead, Carlisle, Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons, before finally making his Premier League debut at Reading two seasons ago.

He made three Europa League appearances that season, but started last term on loan at Shrewsbury before also spending time at Rotherham.

Tavernier, who has signed a three-year deal at the DW Stadium, said: "It has been a long summer and I’ve been waiting a long time to finalise the deal. Now that it has been completed, I am delighted.

“Wigan Athletic are a Premier League club and I’ve always known them to be a Premier League club and hopefully I can help to help get us back where we belong."