WANDERERS are very close to signing their second goalkeeper of the week in Joel Coleman.

The Bolton-born stopper has been released by Ipswich Town and had offers from at least two other League One clubs.

Ian Evatt made Nathan Baxter his first signing of the summer on Monday – the former Chelsea man penning a two-year deal after his release at Stamford Bridge.

Coleman is expected to follow suit and should link up in time to travel with the rest of the squad for a short training camp in Portugal at the end of the month.

The 6ft 6ins 27-year-old played junior football with North Walkden before signing professionally for Oldham Athletic in 2014.

Coleman crossed paths with Wanderers’ recruitment chief Chris Markham at Huddersfield Town a few seasons ago and played once in the Premier League for the Terriers having spent much of the 2018/19 season as back-up to Jonas Lössl and Ben Hamer.

He was drafted in by Ipswich last season as emergency cover for Christian Walton and Vaclav Hladky following injuries to young keepers Nick Hayes, Lewis Ridd and Antoni Bort.

He did not make an appearance for the Tractor Boys with his last competitive football coming with Rochdale in League Two during the 2021/22 season.

Coleman has played against Bolton before – and was in goal for Huddersfield when they won 2-1 at the Macron Stadium in the FA Cup third round in 2018.

Meanwhile, Wanderers have announced a two-year deal with energy supplier Utilita, whose logo will feature on the first team shorts.

The company run a project called Football Rebooted which asks people to donate spare boots to one of 500 collection points around the UK, which are then redistributed to individuals, families, clubs and schools.

A Utilita Food Hub will also be created in the Fanzone for selected matchdays which will ask for donations to be given to local foodbanks.

 

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