A 23-year-long association between the Whelan family and Championship side Wigan is edging closer to be concluded as Wigan are set to be taken over by new owners.

The International Entertainment Corporation (IEC) formally announced to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that it is recommending the purchase of the Championship club to its shareholders.

The club released the following statement regarding the takeover on their official website. 

"The consent from the EFL was received in summer 2018 and IEC is now proceeding into the final phase of obtaining its shareholders approval in Hong Kong."

This announcement was followed by the news that a new board will be in place at Wigan, and former Manchester City and Everton manager, Joe Royle, and his son Darren Royle will be the company's UK representatives on the board of directors.

The takeover is due to be completed within the next three weeks and will end a 23-year-long partnership between Wigan and the Whelan family.

Dave Whelan had been the face of the club for many seasons but stepped down as Chairman of Wigan in March 2015, handing the responsibilities over to his grandson, David Sharpe.

The news will excite Wigan fans who will hope the club can see new investment in the squad as they look to maintain their status as a Championship club.

Verdict:

This major update can only be a positive for Wigan fans and they will be hoping that they will see some investment from the new owners into the current playing squad.

Wigan have shown that they can comfortably hold their own in the Championship, with the form of Nick Powell a real positive for the side this season. They will be hoping they can get back to winning ways with three points against an in-form West Brom side next time out.