John McAtee was impressed by Wanderers’ ambition and wants to be part of something special at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

The forward has put pen to paper over a three-year deal with the Whites, joining from Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.

Salford-born McAtee came up against Bolton last season while on loan at Barnsley, where he scored 13 times in 40 matches.

There was significant interest in his services from other EFL clubs but after speaking with Ian Evatt, the 25-year-old knew Wanderers was where he wanted to be.

He has already experienced the atmosphere at the Toughsheet as an opponent but is now excited to step onto the pitch in a white shirt.

“I am buzzing, more than anything I am excited to get going,” he told the club channels. “It has been in the pipeline for some time now and it is nice to get it over the line.

“I met up with the gaffer and was really impressed with the way he wants to go about things and the goals for this season.

“I am looking forward to getting on board with that and, of course, I played here last season. Seeing the fans and the atmosphere was very good, I am really excited.

“Last year, it was probably one of the most difficult games I have played in. This year, I am sure we all want the same thing which is promotion and I am excited to hopefully be a part of that.”

McAtee will wear the number 45 shirt at Wanderers and becomes the club’s eighth signing of the summer heading into the new campaign, which kicks off with a trip to Leyton Orient on Saturday evening (5.30pm).

His arrival bolsters Evatt’s attacking options after Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Cameron Jerome were released at the end of last season.