Wigan Athletic manager Malky Mackay was delighted to secure the loan signing of Aston Villa's Chris Herd, who has joined the club until the end of the season.
The deal comes after a busy couple of days for the Latics which saw Ben Watson join Watford and Shaun Maloney make the switch to Chicago Fire.Herd, 25, has made 42 appearances for Villa and also had spells on loan with Port Vale, Wycombe, Lincoln and Bolton.
Mackay told the club's official website: "I'm delighted that Chris has been able to join us on loan until the end of the season, he's a player I've looked at a lot over a period of time.
"I feel that his energy, his athleticism and his tenacity will be things that can really help us out.
"He's got Premier League and Football League experience and he's another young player who wants to kick on at our club and solidify a position here, so I'm delighted we've managed to get him."
On Maloney's departure, Macky added: "Sometimes in football, you have to recognise that a move is for the benefit of all parties. Shaun is nearing the end of his contract and as a club we had to make a decision.
"It was a great opportunity for him personally and this made sense from everyone's perspective.
"We have a responsibility to do what is best for the long-term interests of the football club and he leaves with our blessing and best wishes for the future."
Meanwhile, midfielder Watson said it was a "tough decision" to leave Wigan following his move to the Hornets and thanked the club's fans for some special memories.
The London-born player, who scored the last-minute winner when Wigan beat Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup Final, completed a permanent move to Vicarage Road after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee at the end of last week.
"I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to everyone at the club as everything happened so quickly on Friday," he told Wigan's official website.
"It was a tough decision to make as I'm leaving a lot of good friends behind. But all good things have to end sometimes.
"I just want to say thanks to everyone at the club, especially the medical staff who helped me pull through some dark times.
"To the supporters I say a big thanks too. Together we shared some great memories and the FA Cup is something that can never be taken away from us all."