The 22-year-old midfielder completed his long-anticipated transfer to the DW Stadium from Scottish Premier League side Hamilton today by signing a four-year contract.

The move reunites the Scotland Under-21 international with former Accies team-mate James McCarthy, who made the same move last summer, and fulfils his long-held ambition to play in the Barclays Premier League.

Speaking as he was unveiled alongside fellow new signing Antolin Alcaraz at a press conference this afternoon, McArthur said: "This is the Premier League, it is the biggest thing in the world and I want to play at the highest level.

"Wigan as a club just sells itself, they are a massive, massive, massive club and the Premier League is the best league in the world.

"There are so many different styles of play and the best players in the world are here."

Wigan are believed to have paid around £500,000 for the player, although the fee has not officially been disclosed.

McArthur now wants to follow the example of McCarthy, who made a positive impression after breaking into Roberto Martinez's team in the second half of last season.

He added: "I know it is going to be a tough test but he loves it here.

"He thinks it's a great club and he's had his opportunity and done well. Hopefully I can do the same.

"He says the standard is a lot better and I'll need to work a lot harder.

"But I am prepared to - I want to make that next step."

Alcaraz's move was rubber-stamped yesterday as the Paraguay defender was granted a work permit.

The 27-year-old signed a three-year contract prior to the World Cup following the expiry of his contract at Club Bruges.

A series of impressive performances in South Africa, which included a goal against Italy as Paraguay reached the quarter-finals, led to suggestions other clubs might hijack the deal.

Yet Wigan insist there was never any doubt Alcaraz would be joining them, providing international clearance was granted.

Alcaraz said: "I feel very good, I am very happy to come.

"I talked with the trainer and I liked his ideas for the club and how he wanted to do it.

"To be given the opportunity to come to the Premier League is something I wanted.

"For the moment Spain are the best team but for me the one place to go is the Premier League.

"I like the football in England and I wanted to come to play here."

Wigan have lost defender Titus Bramble to Sunderland but Martinez is pleased with his summer's business so far.

The Spaniard feels both new players will add considerably to his squad as he looked to improve on last season's

16th-placed finish.

Martinez said: "James McArthur is a young, exciting prospect who we have been following for a long time and someone I think is going to go on to full international honours with Scotland.

"He has a winning mentality, a very strong character and is at a young age.

"He has played a huge amount of games in the SPL and that is going to help him settle in quickly.

"Antolin was one of the best centre-halves at the World Cup.

"We are very pleased with the recruitment process we have got in place.

"We spotted him really early and managed to persuade him to sign for Wigan Athletic before the World Cup.

"We signed him on a free and he is a really exciting prospect for us."