ROVERS keeper John Filan has ended his Ewood nightmare after agreeing to join Second Division Wigan.

Aussie international Filan agreed to a £600,000 switch yesterday after Latics boss Paul Jewell made a dramatic late swoop for the former Coventry stopper.

Filan had originally been due to join Second Division Stoke earlier this week on a one-month loan and even trained with City on Thursday morning.

But Jewell then scuppered that move by weighing in with a permanent offer for the 31-year-old which was subsequently accepted by Rovers.

And, after talks regarding personal terms yesterday, Filan then shook hands on a three year deal.

Filan had recently slapped in a transfer request after becoming frustrated at his lack of first team chances at Ewood.

So when Wigan moved in Rovers agreed to let him go.

"I'm pleased for John because it's a good move for him," said chief executive John Williams.

"Wigan are a good club and because they're in the North West he won't have to move home, either."

Meanwhile, Williams has revealed Rovers are currently pursuing a number of targets as they step up their search for a striker.

American international Josh Wolff is training with the club at the moment and manager Graeme Souness is also looking at a number of other options.