The Senegalese clinched a late move as he intends to play regular first-team football at the Britannia Stadium.

"I love it here and the fans have always been behind me, which is something I have always really appreciated," Camara told Wigan's official site.

"I hope they understand I need to play. I had a wasted year at West Ham, and I have spent most of this season on the bench. I understand and respect Steve Bruce totally.

"He is the manager and he has done brilliantly with the team, which is his team now. But when I was given this chance I felt I had to take it for the sake of my career.

Bruce Praise

Latics boss Bruce paid tribute to Camara, but admitted that he has no guarantees for the 31-year-old in his side.

"I like Henri as a player. He's looked great whenever he has played this season, getting a couple of really crucial goals for us," Bruce said.

"However, I can understand that he wants to put himself in the shop window and play and I could not give him that promise here.

"Out of respect to him and to what he has done for the club in the past, I have not stood in his way now."

Camara's chances were diminished with the arrival of Egypt forward Mido and Colombian hitman Hugo Rodallega this winter, in addition to the presence of top scorer Amr Zaki.

Meanwhile, Wigan have acquired the services of Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia, as midfielder Ryan Taylor moved in the opposite direction.

N'Zogbia said he would never play for the Magpies under manager Joe Kinnear, after the latter mocked him in a television interview.

Kinnear called the 23-year-old 'Charles Insomnia', much to the frustration of the junior French international.