Jack Wilshere told he is ‘most welcome’ at Wigan by League One club’s chairman

Wigan Athletic’s chairman has made Jack Wilshere a public offer to join the League One side just days after the midfielder revealed he was considering quitting football.

Despite weighing up whether to retire from playing due to a lack of offers, Wilshere insisted he still has ‘hunger’ to play on and find a new club – and he could now have an option in the north west.

The former Arsenal golden boy has seen his career decimated by injuries and is currently without a club at the age of just 29.

Wigan Athletic’s chairman has made Jack Wilshere a public offer to join the League One side

Talal Al Hammad tweeted Wilshere, effectively offering the free agent a contract with Wigan

His most recent spell in the game came with Bournemouth last year in the Championship, but the Cherries chose not to renew his contract at the end of last season. 

However, Wilshere’s fortunes could be about to change – if he’s willing to make the move to League One.

On Wednesday night, Wigan chairman Talal Al Hammad tweeted Wilshere to offer him a chance to join the squad. 

‘You are most welcome to join us @LaticsOfficial,’ the Al Hammad wrote, adding the hashtag #Believe.  

The offer came after Wilshere told The Athletic of his desperation to be involved this season, and described the feeling of being made to watch on from home.

‘What I would say is I still have that hunger in me, somewhere deep in me, that all I want to do is play football,’ Wilshere said.

Wilshere, pictured scoring for Arsenal in 2013, was tipped for a huge career as a youngster

‘I don’t want people to think, “Oh look, poor Jack, he hasn’t got a club, (but) he’s made loads of money out of football, he gets to stay home with his kids”.

‘When I wake up in the morning I want to look forward to going to training and being with the lads. I want to get back out on the pitch, especially with the fans now back. 

‘I’ve watched every single game that’s been on TV since the start of the season and I want to be part of that.

‘I want that feeling of going out on the pitch, hearing the fans and just being able to play football again.’

The former Arsenal starlet insisted he still has the ‘hunger’ to play on and find a new club 

Wilshere also painfully recalled a moment where his son, Archie, aged nine, asked him why no clubs are interested in him. 

‘My kids are at an age where they understand,’ Wilshere added. ‘Especially Archie, who’s nine. He’s actually having conversations with me, saying, “What about the MLS?” or “Why aren’t you playing in La Liga?”

‘He loves football. He knows everything about football. And it is difficult to explain to him. He’ll say to me, “How come no club wants you?” I don’t know. But how do I explain that to him?’

Midfielder Wilshere suffered severe and persistent injuries that decimated his career 

He dazzled during Arsenal’s victory over Barcelona in the Champions League in 2012, and when fit often starred during a decade at the club. He also has 34 England caps to his name.

But severe and persistent injuries, including serious ankle problems and a broken leg, have derailed his career and he finds himself unemployed after a two-year stint at West Ham and a short spell on the south coast.

Wilshere is yet to respond to the offer from Wigan, with a switch to the third tier a far cry from his days in the Premier League with Arsenal and West Ham.

The Latics, who were relegated from the top-flight in 2013, have yo-yoed between the Championship and League One in recent years, and currently find themselves ninth in the table.

After losing their opening game of the season against Sunderland, Leam Richardson and his players have bounced back with wins over Rotherham and Charlton, and a draw with Wycombe.