Kirkland won Wigan's Player of the Year award for this season

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has signed a new four-year contract with Wigan that ties him to the club until June 2012.

After spells with Liverpool and West Brom, the 27-year-old has settled at the JJB Stadium and has kept 20 clean sheets in 64 appearances.

"I knew Chris was a good keeper before I joined but until I had worked with him, I didn't realise just how good he actually is," said manager Steve Bruce.

"Him signing this new deal is a massive boost for the club."

Kirkland started his career as a highly rated youngster with Coventry City before being snapped up for �6m by Liverpool, where he endured a major struggle with injuries.

But with one senior England cap to his name and some excellent form that helped keep Wigan in the Premier League this season, Kirkland has become the target of transfer speculation - which manager Bruce is happy to see the end of.

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"I could not be more pleased to have Chris commit his future to Wigan Athletic, everyone knows what a professional he is," stated the former Birmingham boss.

"When I joined the club we were shipping on average over two goals a game and no matter how good your strikers are, it is virtually impossible to score three goals in this league to win every game.

"So it is no coincidence that Chris' run of clean sheets, the good form of the team defensively, meant that we picked up 31 points in about the last 30 games to secure our status with a game to go.

"This is an excellent foundation to continue building for next season."