Former Shamrock Rovers striker Noel Hunt joins Paul Cook at Wigan Athletic

Former Shamrock Rovers striker and Ireland international Noel Hunt has signed for Wigan Athletic on a one-year deal after impressing on trial.

The Waterford native links up once again with former Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook, with whom he lifted the League Two trophy with Portsmouth last season, at the League One club.

34-year-old Hunt appeared 24 times for Pompey as they pipped Doncaster Rovers to the championship on the final day, scoring once.

“Noel is a top pro whose experience, commitment and quality has already started rubbing off on the squad,” Cook told the club's official website.

“He’s a player who trains as he plays, at 100% level, and he will make a significant contribution on and off the field.”

Hunt began his senior career when he signed for Shamrock Rovers as an 18-year-old in 2001 and spent the second half of that season on loan with his hometown club Waterford United.

He spent less two years with the Hoops, departing at the end of the 2002-03 season having been awarded the club's player of the year award.

Hunt signed for Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic and spent three years in Paisley before moving to Dundee United ahead of the 2006-07 season.

He then joined his brother Stephen when he joined English Championship side Reading in 2008. He spent five years there, helping Brian McDermott's side to the 2011/12 Championship title.

Following his release from Reading, Hunt spent time with Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Southend United before signing a one-year deal with Pompey in 2016.

Hunt has three international caps to his name and continues to this day to dispute the awarding of a vital equaliser against Italy in Bari to Robbie Keane.