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Espinoza granted work permit to clear way for Wigan move

You can now add Roger Espinoza to the list of Major League Soccer alumni to make moves to top European leagues.

The Honduran national team midfielder and former Sporting Kansas City standout was granted his UK work permit on Monday, clearing the way for his free transfer to English Premier League side Wigan Athletic.

Espinoza joins the Latics after playing out his five-year contract with Sporting KC. A first-round pick in 2008, Espinoza heads to the Premier League after developing into a tenacious two-way midfielder during his time in Kansas City.

What do you think of Espinoza’s move? See him doing well in the EPL? Think Sporting KC will miss him, or do you see the arrival of Benny Feilhaber helping offset Espinoza’s departure?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. It may take him a bit to adjust to the difference between the MLS and EPL, but I think by the end of this year he will be playing good and next year should have a real good season for Wigan.

    Sporting will miss him for sure, they were a better team when he was on the field and you can’t just replace a 25 year old player that is going to play in the EPL. Benny will bring a bit of a different game than Roger and Benny will be stronger in the attacking 3rd, but Roger is stronger in the defending 3rd. However looking at SKC’s defense and offense this change may fit their more in the long run.

    I will be routing for Roger to have a career in the EPL. I set up a soccer camp that him and Davy did with local kids and they were both great people as well as players.

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  2. this is good, out with the young, in with the old -sarcasm. can’t wait to see juninho pernambucano. NYRB game is always a treat when they come to town.

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  3. As an SKC fan, I am happy for him. He gave SKC a fair shake, and it was mutually prosperous. Hope it opens up a pipeline for other Latin American talent for SKC, or at least becomes a recognizable name amongst players.

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  4. They’ll miss him for sure. And I predict he’ll have a bit of a rocky start at Wigan only to grow into his role and do well. I don’t think he’ll be asked to do as much at Wigan as he did at KC so that will make the transition a little easier.

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