Roger Espinoza’s path to the Premier League (Video)
With the likes of Wilson Palacios, Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa representing the club in recent years, the nationality of new signing Roger Espinoza will come as no great surprise to Wigan fans.
However, unlike his compatriots who were all signed from 26-time Honduran champions Club Deportivo Olimpia, Espinoza has had to force his way into the game slightly differently. When he was just 12 years old, he moved to Denver, Colorado and eventually became a US citizen. After several years playing for college teams, he was drafted 11th overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by Kansas City Wizards.
Espinoza went on to make 113 league appearances during his time in Kansas, scoring two goals. His performances earned him a call-up to the Honduran national team by Reinaldo Rueda for the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup, which was to be held in Honduras and would allow him a chance to play in his home country. The first goal of his international career came in the tournament and was a decisive one; Espinoza scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win against El Salvador to give Honduras third place in the competition.
His importance to the national team was highlighted at last summer’s Olympic Games, where he was selected as one of only three over-age players to represent Honduras in the under-23 tournament. Espinoza left the 2012 London Olympics having scored one goal in four appearances and, despite being sent off in the 90th minute of his team’s quarter-final defeat to Brazil, he received a standing ovation from the St James’ Park crowd for his performance.
Roberto Martinez will be hoping that the 26-year-old can now impress the fans at the DW Stadium.
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