IAN Evatt believes “elite” signing Conor Bradley will prove a good bit of business for Wanderers despite his relative lack of first team experience.

The Northern Ireland international has signed a season-long loan from Liverpool and will link-up with the squad next week.

Bradley is just 18 and had been a top target for Evatt and Wanderers in January.

“Conor was our priority in January and it didn’t happen - but it’s going to happen now which is huge,” Evatt said. “Credit to where this football club is at, the work we’re doing on the pitch and Liverpool for identifying us as a club which will take care of Conor and make it happen.

“I believe Conor will be a fantastic player for us. A huge potential with top level potential and I’m excited to work with him.

“You don’t play for Liverpool unless you’re elite and I believe Conor is elite. Is he the finished article? No. He’s a young player that’s going to have ups and downs this season, but I believe he’s going to have a lot more ups than downs.”

Bradley has yet to play in the Premier League for Liverpool but has five senior appearances in cup competitions and the Champions League.

Evatt believes he will be comfortable playing League One football, with the Reds also able to keep regular tabs on his progress down the road.

“He has played a good few times for Liverpool now,” Evatt added. “He’s in the Northern Ireland full team, so it speaks volumes of what we’re getting into the building and what we think he can achieve with us.

“You don’t play for Liverpool in their current shape and form if you’re not exceptional and he’s an exceptional talent. Not only are we getting someone who I think is a really special player but I think it’s a huge marker for this football club as to where we’re at. The fact that Liverpool are choosing us for Conor’s development is a huge thing.”

Following James Trafford’s loan from Manchester City, Evatt believes Wanderers are gaining a good reputation with the local Premier League clubs once again.

Liverpool ran checks to make sure Bolton’s training standards were high and that the young defender would get everything he needed during his stay.

“We’ve become trustworthy, we’ve become a club that clearly knows and develops players and works on the four corners. We speak about the technical, tactical, physical and mental,” he said.

“It’s a huge thing for us that they’ve selected us and that’s down to our hard work behind the scenes - myself, the rest of the staff, Chris (Markham). We’ve had lots of conversations with Liverpool last season.

“Michael Edwards has even been to visit us and watch how we train and do things, which is a huge bonus for how we’re working. I’m delighted with it.”