Adams continues his professional football journey

Thursday 27 July 2023

Guernsey’s Joe Adams has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with Wigan Athletic.

The deal will keep the 19-year-old at the EFL League One club until the summer of 2025. Adams grew up in Guernsey, studying at Elizabeth College, before moving to Southampton at the age of 16 to try and forge a career in the game.

???? Congratulations to Joe Adams, who has extended his Wigan Athletic contract until the summer of 2025! #wafc ????⚪️

— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) July 24, 2023

“I’m delighted Joe has extended his stay with us,” said First Team Manager Shaun Maloney.

“Joe has had a very different route into Academy football, but he’s done brilliantly for the U21s and has been training with the first team for a while now. He’s a great character, who can play a number of different positions well. 

“I am really looking forward to helping him improve and develop as a player."

Pictured: Joe Adams playing for St Martins in U16 Eric Amy Cup final.

The midfielder has been involved in Latics’ opening pre-season friendlies against BFC Sifók and Hearts on the back of their warm-weather training camp in Hungary. 

Adams journey in English football began when he enrolled on Eastleigh's Football Academy programme in the summer of 2021, receiving coaching from former Spitfires’ Assistant Manager Jason Bristow to aid his development.

He signed for Southern League Division One outfit Sholing shortly afterwards on non-contract terms,making ten appearances in all competitions for the senior side. 

????️ The Gaffer was quick to express his delight after Joe Adams signed a new contract with the Football Club…

Well deserved, Joe! ????#wafc ????⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Gs7COuXXDx

— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) July 24, 2023

Adams was selected for England Schoolboys U18s for their Centenary Shield fixture in December 2021. 

His performances led to him moving to Latics in February 2022, and just hours after signing his first professional contract, the 19-year-old marked his competitive debut with a goal in a narrow LFA Professional Youth Cup defeat against Rochdale at Bower Fold.

In June, the club was taken over by Wigan-born billionaire Mike Danson.

The club was relegated from the Championship at the end of the last campaign and will start the season on minus eight points after failing to pay players on time on several occasions under the former owners.