The struggling Super League club had wanted to take Wilkes on loan but were told they had to sign him permanently.

The 25-year-old, who played in Super League for Leigh last season, goes straight into the Warriors' squad for Friday's clash with Bradford.

"Oliver is a player of potential and we have moved quickly to bring him to the club," said coach Ian Millward.

Wilkes said: "As soon as I heard of Wigan's interest, I jumped at the chance to return to Super League."

Tim Jonkers is a good professional who gets about his work very well Wigan coach Ian Millward

Haven coach Dave Rotherham told BBC Radio Cumbria: "It's a big loss but we can't stand in the player's way."

The Warriors, who have already signed second rower Tim Jonkers on loan, have also added former player John Pendlebury to their coaching staff.

Pendlebury, who was Super League coach of the year after guiding Halifax to a third-place finish in 1998, began his playing career with Wigan before moving on to Halifax, Bradford, Leigh and Salford.

He was assistant coach at Wigan in 1997 before joining Halifax and will help to develop youngsters at the JJB Stadium.

Report: What's gone wrong at Wigan?

Wigan agreed a month's loan deal with Salford's Tim Jonkers on Wednesday as they look to ease their injury problems.

Forwards Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Scott Logan and Harrison Hansen are all sidelined.

Jonkers, 24, played for Millward when he was coach of St Helens.

"Tim will provide another body within our squad and will be with us for four weeks," said Millward. "He's a good professional who gets about his work very well.

"He hasn't been getting any game time at Salford and we're desperate for players. We've been scouring the market pretty comprehensively over the last three days."