Exeter City Loanee Dion Rankine’s signs for Wigan Athletic

As the summer transfer window unfolds, Exeter City bids farewell to Dion Rankine, a player whose impact on the pitch has been as significant as his presence in the locker room. The 21-year-old winger, who spent the last season on loan from Chelsea, is set to embark on a new chapter with Wigan Athletic.

Rankine’s journey at St. James Park was a testament to the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent. Arriving as a promising prospect from Chelsea’s esteemed academy, he quickly adapted to the rigours of League One football, making 36 appearances across all competitions¹. His lone goal and consistent performances may not tell the whole story of his contribution to the Grecians.

For Exeter City, Rankine represented more than just numbers on a stats sheet. His versatility as a winger or wing-back brought dynamism to the team’s attacking play, while his work ethic and determination resonated well with the club’s values². His development under Gary Caldwell’s guidance was evident, and his performances undoubtedly played a part in Exeter’s competitive season.

The move to Wigan Athletic comes as no surprise, given Rankine’s upward trajectory and the natural progression for a player of his calibre. While Exeter City fans will miss the excitement he brought to the game, there’s a collective sense of pride in seeing another young talent take a step forward in his career.

Rankine himself has expressed gratitude towards Exeter City, acknowledging the club’s role in his growth as a professional footballer:-

Exeter is fan-owned, so they are really supportive and really invested in the team. I felt that, and the whole team felt that extra boost when we played at home,

As Rankine joins Wigan Athletic, Exeter City can take comfort in the knowledge that their investment in young players continues to pay dividends, both on and off the field. The club’s philosophy of developing talent and providing a platform for growth remains steadfast, and Rankine’s successful loan spell is a clear indicator of this approach.

On his move from Chelsea, Dion speaking to the Wigan media team, said:-

I’m so excited to be here. It’s been in the works for a while, so I’m really excited to be here and get the deal done – I can’t wait to get out there in front of the fans now.

It’s the right step for my career. I feel like I’ve got a really good opportunity to progress and develop, and I just want to play the best football that I can here.

Sporting Director, Gregor Rioch added:-

Dion is another fantastic addition to our Football Club. He gained experience in League One last season with Exeter City, where he enjoyed a very successful season, racking up 36 appearances, which puts him in a fantastic position to hit the ground running for Shaun and the team this season.

I’m sure supporters will enjoy watching Dion in action, and we look forward to seeing him on the pitch in Blue & White.

Dion’s first interview with Wigan can be viewed at

Wigan’s welcoming video has a reminder of the talent that he showed for the Grecians