Sam Allardyce has pounced for Spanish centre-back Cesar Martin [source]. The Spaniard had been training for the past few weeks with Wigan but Sam acted quickly once the player had become a free ageny having cancelled his contract with Spanish club Levante. The move comes after Martin reportedly snubbed Bolton’s £1 million approach in the summer, electing instead to join newly-promoted Levante from Deportivo.

His arrival will certainly bolster the Bolton backline. The club have just 3 centre-backs on their books and one of those, Ben Heim, is a free agent in the summer. Allardyce admits that the Spaniard needs to work on his fitness but is already talking up Martin’s chances of breaking into the side this season.

Martin had appeared just three times this season for Levante, following the move from Deportivo, where he spent 7 seasons. He’s been capped 12 times for Spain between 1999 and 2004 and interestingly, chipped in with 3 goals.