Wigan have overcome one more hurdle in their bid to sign Hugo Rodallega after the Colombia international striker was granted a work permit.

The 23-year-old will now complete a €5million move from Mexican club Necaxa once he has passed a medical.

Delighted Latics boss Steve Bruce, among a club delegation who attended a Home Office hearing in Manchester on Monday, said: "This is great news.

"I need to thank everyone behind the scenes at Wigan for the hard work they've put in on this one.

"We put together a really strong case and we're delighted we've the green light to press ahead now and try to finalise the transfer.

"It's not done yet, and the player will not be unveiled until it is, but this (work permit) was the major stumbling block,” Bruce added.

"We are never comfortable as a club talking about transfers before they are finalised because so much can potentially happen to delay a move.

"However, we have made an exception in this case because the news is in the public domain.

"Hugo has yet to undergo a medical, but we are very optimistic about this going through, hopefully later this week."

Bruce now cannot wait to work with a player who has scored 25 goals in 52 games for Necaxa, and six in 21 matches for Colombia.

"Like all our overseas transfers, we have worked very hard on this one," said Bruce. "The club has sent delegations to South America to watch him and to discuss terms with the club and player, and we feel he can be a big success in England.

"He is strong and quick, with an eye for goal and if he is anything like the other South and Central American imports we have brought in to the club, we have netted another gem, that's for sure."