CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe admitted his decision to sell Shaun MacDonald to Wigan had been made with a “heavy heart”.

MacDonald ended his five-year stay with Cherries when he completed a permanent move to the Championship new boys at the weekend.

The midfielder joined the Latics for an undisclosed fee – believed to have been around £250,000 – and penned a two-year contract.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Macca moved with a heavy heart from our perspective.

“He has been an incredible professional behind the scenes for a number of years.

“Not only is he an outstanding player but he is an outstanding person as well.

“We felt we needed to help him in his pursuit of regular first-team football.

“I think it is a really good move for both him and Wigan and he goes with our best wishes.”

MacDonald, who joined Cherries from Swansea for £150,000 in August 2011, was restricted to just three substitute appearances in the Premier League last season.

He could make his debut when the Latics host Birmingham in the Championship tonight.