WANDERERS have completed the loan signing of Manchester United’s Shola Shoretire to the end of the season.
The versatile 18-year-old attacker has already made five first team appearances for the Reds and is the youngest player to ever play a European game for the club.
Shoretire has scored five times in nine appearances for United’s Under-23s in Premier League 2 this season, and also netted in the Papa Johns Trophy against Fleetwood.
Ian Evatt believes the teenager - who goes straight into Saturday's squad to face Derby County - can make a difference for Wanderers in their promotion chase in what is his first experience of football outside Old Trafford.
“I am really excited to work with him, he trained with us this morning and I saw a glimpse of what he will bring to us – that ability to receive 360 degrees in the centre of the pitch, the bit of explosive power to get away from people, the bit of magic and quality. He is another exciting young prospect to work with,” he said.
The deal has not been an easy one to negotiate for Wanderers – with Evatt meeting not only with the club’s loan managers but also first team staff to put his case to them.
Shoretire has been on the fringes of United’s senior set up for some time, and the Premier League club wanted to be sure that Bolton were the right fit, which has delayed to deal to this point.
“It is really difficult, like with James (Trafford), Conor (Bradley) and Shola in particular, they have all been around the first team, and their managers want to keep those players within their ranks,” Evatt said.
“It is great testament to what we are doing and achieving here that clubs are trusting us to take these talents on, to develop and support them, and I think it is something to be proud of.”
Wanderers sold Dapo Afolayan to German side St Pauli, and have also lost the services of striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, who will require surgery on an ankle injury sustained against Portsmouth last weekend.
As such, Evatt has confirmed he will be looking to sign another striker – and could add another two players before the January deadline.
“We have some serious work to do, and I feel we are at least one more light,” he said.
“We are working very hard to see what happens there.”
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