Bromley have strengthened their midfield with the signing of Tobias Brenan from Wigan Athletic, with the fee understood to be undisclosed, according to a report from BBC Sport published on Monday.

The deal in brief

Brenan, who turned 20 this year, moves between two League One clubs, with the Ravens understood to have paid an undisclosed sum to land the midfielder. No contract length has been confirmed publicly. The transfer represents a permanent switch rather than a loan arrangement, although no sell-on clause or add-ons have been disclosed at this stage.

Brenan's background

The midfielder originally joined Wigan in 2025, arriving from Oxford United, and made 12 appearances in total for the Latics, five of which came in League One itself. His most sustained run of first-team football arrived during the second half of last season, when he spent time on loan at Harrogate Town in League Two. He made 16 appearances during that spell, scoring three goals, and featured once against Bromley in a goalless draw, which adds a certain irony to his permanent move to the Ravens.

At Wigan, Brenan had seen limited involvement in the early weeks of the current campaign. He came off the bench as a second-half substitute in the Carabao Cup penalty defeat to Barnsley on 8 August but was absent from the matchday squad when the Latics were beaten 3-2 at Cambridge United in their League One opener the following Saturday. His pathway to regular first-team minutes at the DW Stadium was, to say the least, narrow.

What it means for Bromley

For Bromley, the signing adds a young, energetic option in the centre of the park as the Ravens look to consolidate in the third tier. Manager Andy Woodman has spoken publicly about targeting a play-off place this season, and adding a player of Brenan's profile, still developing but with senior League One and League Two minutes already on his record, fits the profile of a club building carefully with an eye on the future.

Bromley opened their League One account with a victory at Barnsley, and the addition of Brenan suggests the club are keen to add competition and depth to their squad during the current transfer window rather than wait until January. The Ravens have already brought in goalkeeper Owen Mason from Mansfield Town this summer, and Brenan represents another piece of recruitment with a view to the long term.

Wigan's perspective

From Wigan's point of view, the departure of Brenan thins a midfield that was already being reshaped this summer. The Latics have brought in Finley Burns on a three-year deal from Manchester City, and manager Shaun Maloney will be mindful that the squad needs to be competitive across a full League One campaign. With Brenan unlikely to have featured regularly, the sale generates funds and clears a squad place, though the fee involved remains unknown.

Wigan's early-season form has been a talking point, with head coach Shaun Maloney acknowledging the side were "too easy to play against" in their opening League One fixture. Whether the outgoing transfer affects the balance of the squad remains to be seen, but with the window still open, further arrivals at the DW Stadium appear probable.

Summary

Two League One clubs conducting business with each other is always worth watching, and this move, still with its financial details firmly under wraps, gives Bromley a young midfielder who has already experienced life in the third tier. Whether Brenan can nail down a starting berth at Hayes Lane is the question his new supporters will now be asking.

Frequently asked

How much did Bromley pay for Tobias Brenan?
The fee has not been disclosed by either club. Bromley and Wigan Athletic have confirmed the transfer is permanent but have not revealed the financial terms.
Where did Tobias Brenan play before joining Bromley?
Brenan joined Wigan Athletic from Oxford United in 2025 and spent the second half of last season on loan at Harrogate Town, where he made 16 appearances and scored three goals.
How many League One appearances has Tobias Brenan made?
According to BBC Sport, Brenan made five League One appearances for Wigan Athletic before his move to Bromley.