Holland star Landzaat joins Wigan

Spanish side Espanyol also wanted to sign Landzaat

Dutch international midfielder Denny Landzaat has joined Wigan from AZ Alkmaar for an unspecified fee, thought to be in the region of £2.5m.

The 30-year-old, who played at the World Cup, signed a three-year deal after coming back from holiday.

"He has pace, hunger, vision and plenty of experience with Holland, at the top of the Dutch league and in the Uefa Cup," said manager Paul Jewell.

"He had a choice, which makes me even happier that we have got him."

He has good speed, plenty of energy, and I think it's a great signing Wigan captain Arjan de Zeeuw on Denny Landzaat

Landzaat, who has 21 caps for his country, had one year left on his deal at Alkmaar and was their captain last season as they came second in the Dutch league.

Wigan saw off interest from Spanish Espanyol to make him their fourth signing of the summer.

"I am really happy about coming to England," he said.

"I have talked to a lot of my colleagues in the international team about Wigan and I know exactly what kind of club I am joining and what they have achieved over the past few years."

Wigan captain Arjan de Zeeuw said the club had got a bargain by signing his fellow Dutchman.

606 VIEW Seems to be a bit past it, but certainly not a bad signing at all KS 606: Have your say

"Denny is a player who likes to go forward at the right times and score goals, but can also play as an anchor man," he said.

"We need a player who can come forward from midfield, he has good speed, plenty of energy, and I think it's a great signing."

Landzaat is Wigan's fourth signing of the season, after Jewell spent a club record £5.5m on Birmingham's Emile Heskey, £3m on Crystal Palace's Fitz Hall and also signed young Pole Tomasz Cywka.

Jewell said the last season's success demanded more investment.

"Our achievements last season mean we've gone up a level of player and we're now competing with the teams who finished around us in the table," said Jewell.