Portsmouth League Two title winner and ex-loanee both pen short-term deals at rivals Wigan

And the Liverpudlian will now be joined by former Blues loanee Viv Solomon-Otabor at the DW Stadium.

The pair have signed short-term deals at the cash-strapped Latics heading into the upcoming campaign.

Roberts spent two years at Fratton Park. In total, he scored 20 goals in 80 appearances and was a key player when Paul Cook's men clinched the League Two title in 2017.

However, the ex-Ipswich midfielder quickly found himself in the cold after Kenny Jackett took the reigns following the departure of Cook for Wigan.

Roberts was surplus to requirements and left by mutual consent. He later admitted he felt massively disrespected by Jackett, having been forced to train with the youth team.

Roberts subsequently reunited with Cook at the DW and has been there ever since.

The 36-year-old’s contract expired at the end of last season when the Latics were relegated from the Championship after being slapped with a 12-point deduction for entering administration.

Wigan have been forced to sell a number of prized assets this summer – including ex-Pompey winger Jamal Lowe to Swansea – to help pay their football creditors bill.

Cook also resigned as manger, with his long-time right-hand man Leam Richardson currently in charge.

Despite their plight, Roberts has extended his stay.

Now he’s been joined Solomon-Otabor, who has also moved to the DW after a successful trial period.

The winger spent the second half of the 2018-19 season on loan at Fratton Park from Birmingham, scoring one goal in 10 games.

Solomon-Otabor joined Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia last summer, netting once in 23 matches, but left the club earlier this year.

Now he’ll be looking to impress for Wigan.

The pair, along with former Pompey forward Kal Naismith, will return to Fratton Park when Wigan visit on September 26.