Hull City are on the verge of securing their first new signing of the summer, Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa.
Figueroa, a 30-year-old Honduran player, is said to be Steve Bruce's top defensive target. Following positive talks with the free agent, City are confident a deal for the left-back can be concluded in the coming week.
Born in Jutiapa, Figueroa began his youth career with Club Deportivo Victoria before moving to Olimpia in 2003.
By 2007 he was on the radar of Major League Soccer clubs and received a number of offers, all of which were turned down by Olimpia's administrator.
The following January, after catching the eye of Latics boss Steve Bruce during his three weeks on trial at the JJB Stadium, the left-back joined Wigan Athletic on a deal until the end of the season.
Bruce said of the then 24-year-old: "He's strong, he's quick, he has a superb left foot and I think he has the attributes to adapt to the English game.
"He's shown his desire to be with us by being away from his family all over Christmas and has shown plenty of potential in training."
Figueroa saw his loan spell extended by six months in July, and it emerged that should the Latics continue to be interested in the Honduras international, they would then have the option to make the move permanent.
In December 2008, Bruce revealed he planned to do just that. He praised Figueroa and confirmed a deal was in place to sign the 25-year-old for £1.5million.
He told the Wigan Evening Post: "I think Maynor has done enough here, and there is a deal in place between the two clubs.
"We negotiated in the summer to have him on loan until Christmas, but now with the sort of money we're talking about - £1.5m - it's a no-brainer not to make it permanent."
He added: "Maynor only made his full debut against Manchester United on the final day of last season, but since then he's near enough played every game and he has been a 'steady Eddie'."
Later that month Figueroa signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
In October 2009 the defender was ruled out for several weeks after suffering a knee injury against Burnley.
After the match, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez confirmed the Honduras international had suffered a grade two tear of the medial ligament in his left knee.
By December things were again looking up for Figueroa, who had caught the eye of a number of clubs. Tottenham and Sunderland were both believed to be interested in the Honduran full-back, and reports suggested a deal could be agreed in the region of £6million.
But Martinez insisted that value was "out of proportion". And in January 2010 the Wigan manager confirmed: "We've had two insulting bids for the player, but he is not for sale. I've made it clear we're not going to sell any of our best players."
Later that month Figueroa ended speculation over his future by signing a new deal at the DW Stadium, keeping him there until 2012.
In December 2012 Wigan failed in their appeal against Figueroa's red card in the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle. The Latics defender was dismissed for a challenge on Papiss Cisse just 12 minutes into the match at St James' Park.
He served a one-match ban as a result.
But the player continued to attract attention from rival clubs. He was linked with a number of moves by January 2013, but Martinez insisted the club would not be selling during the transfer window.
In May the Wigan boss confirmed Figueroa would miss the remainder of the season, after he suffered a groin injury in the Latics' 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
Martinez conceded Figueroa would miss the last four matches of Wigan's Premier League campaign, as well as the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 11.
The Honduran defender has for the past several days been strongly linked with a move to Hull. Given he has five years' experience of playing in the Premier League with Wigan, City will have to match his top-flight level wages.
But with no transfer fee to pay, Bruce has been assured City will do all they can to meet his demands and complete the deal.
