Marlon King. - File

Jamaican international Marlon King has sealed a three and a half year deal with English Premier League Club Wigan Athletic, for an undisclosed fee, after negotiations with original suitors Fulham stalled.

The 27-year-old striker seemed set for a move away from Cham-pionship Club Watford to Fulham for a £5 million transfer fee, but those discussions broke down, following claims that the striker had failed a medical after concerns had arisen over the state of his right knee.

Denied claims

King, who seriously injured the joint in his first stint with Watford against Arsenal in the Premier League back in 2006, however, had flatly denied the claims.

"I went down, had a long medical and for some reason there was a hitch," King told Sky Sports News. "I think the two clubs were trying to renegotiate the fee, it had nothing to do with me, but when I picked up the papers I see I had failed a medical!

"I know my body is 110 per cent I didn't fail a medical. I've been playing for a season and a half now and scoring goals - nothing has changed.

"As far as Wigan and I are concerned, I didn't fail a medical. I had a medical today (at Wigan) and everything went smoothly, so I decided to make the switch.

"I was speaking to Fulham for the last week and a half, I came down to get things sorted out and for whatever reason it didn't happen. Steve Bruce made it clear he wanted me here and I am a Wigan player now."

While Fulham delayed, however, it was reported that several teams had put in their bids for the services of the Jamaican International.

Natural ability to finish

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is delighted to have emerged at the head of the pack.

"I've been looking to bolster our attacking line-up and Marlon certainly fits the bill. He's a proven finisher who provides us with a different kind of goalscoring threat. He has scored goals at every level he has played and he is hungry to make an impact in the Premier League again," Bruce told the club's official website (www.wigan-latics.premium-tv.co.uk).

"I believe he is the kind of player that can make a real difference for us. He's aggressive, with great pace and a natural ability to finish. Every striker looks for that."

King has scored 37 goals in 82 starts for Watford, including this season. For Jamaica, he has netted six times in 12 appearances.

King is one of 14 overseas-based players called to national duty when the Reggae Boyz take on Costa Rica on February 6 at the National Stadium.

- K.M.