WHILE Bolton's civic delegation heads to China to land a multi-million pound business deal, Bolton Wanderers bosses are back after a groundbreaking trip to the country.

Whites representatives made Bolton the first English Premiership club to sign a co-operation agreement with a Chinese Superleague club. The agreement could net the Wanderers millions in revenue.

A club spokesman said: "It is here that Bolton intends to initially develop and establish both the brand and new income streams through this innovative and truly unique partnership approach with Wuhan FC, who currently occupy third spot in the Chinese Superleague, with only three games of the current season remaining.

"Wuhan is the capital of China's Hubei province and the city itself has a population of more than eight million, with more than 60 million populating the province. This is football-mad territory."

The four-strong delegation, led by Wanderers chief executive Allan Duckworth, included commercial director Gareth Moores, community director Geoff Lomax and senior community coach Steve Obertelli.

The trip, which was organised by Wanderers representatives in China, Lynx Group International, was hailed a success from the start as the Chinese were quick to acknowledge Bolton's current form, which has taken them to fifth in the Premiership.

The group visited North-east China to deliver a coaching session at Club Liaoning FC, which also plays in the Chinese Superleague.

The two clubs have agreed Bolton will provide coaching courses to ex-professional footballers in China, with the possibility of a Bolton-led coaching centre if excellence, with youth teams matches and youth player exchanges.