Rotherham United forward Jamie Proctor has joined Sky Bet League One outfit Wigan Athletic on loan until the end of the 2020/21 campaign, subject to EFL and FA ratification.
The 28-year-old departs AESSEAL New York Stadium for the DW Stadium where he will join Millers teammate Curtis Tilt on loan with the Latics for the remainder of the current season.
Proctor enjoyed a loan stint with Newport County earlier in the campaign joining the Exiles in October of last year, before going on to make 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals in the process.
Upon the recent expiration of that agreement, he returned to AESSEAL New York Stadium where he had been training with the first team group before Wigan secured his services on transfer deadline day.
With Proctor’s deal with the Millers set to run out in the summer and a return to South Yorkshire unlikely, boss Paul Warne was keen to place on record his thanks to a player who he believes was never able to show the club’s supporters his best having been unfortunate with injuries.
"When we had him, he was perfect for us,” Warne reaffirmed.
"He's just been unlucky - as used as that word is. It is the same with Pottsy [Darren Potter] when he was here.
"I remember him playing at Huddersfield and being unplayable, playing at Everton and being excellent and then the home game against Charlton before the injury.
"He's been unfortunate. I don't think the Rotherham fans really saw the best of him - they may have for a couple of games but not consistently.”
Proctor had been part of a mean attack that started the 2017/18 campaign at AESSEAL New York Stadium and when partnered with Kieffer Moore, had formed a promising partnership, never more in evidence than on the day of a 5-0 thrashing of Southend United.
However, just a couple of weeks later, Proctor sustained a season-ending knee injury in the home clash with Charlton and ever-since had struggled to rekindle his red hot form with the Millers.
Following confirmation of his loan switch to one of the manager’s former clubs, Warne expressed his confidence in the striker’s ability to make an impact nearer to home.
"I spoke to Leam [Richardson] last week and I spoke to him again this morning,” he revealed.
"It's a great deal for him, he's been plagued with knee problems but he came back into the building, trained well and we had a game behind-closed-doors and he caused Curtis [Tilt] and Robbo no end of problems.
"As a strong 9, I think he'll do really well at Wigan.
"It's great news for him, he's closer to home with his missus and kid and I don't want to keep people here for the sake of it. If he's not going to play a part - which I think he was - he goes with our absolute blessing.”
Everyone at Rotherham United would like to wish Jamie all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts whilst at AESSEAL New York Stadium.