on 31 august 2006, kilbane signed a three-year deal with wigan athletic for an estimated fee of £2 million. on 15 april 2007, he scored his first goal for wigan athletic with a powerful header in the 3–3 draw against tottenham hotspur. this was his first goal at club level since october 2004. he then scored his second goal for wigan with a looping header over robert green's head from ryan taylor's cross as wigan went on to beat west ham 1–0. kilbane played most of his second season in the unfamiliar left back role, but still managed to win wiganer.net's player of the season award.