The latest summer signing, George Taft arrived at the club this Monday on a two-year deal and is the third new arrival following Eoin Doyle and Antoni Sarcevic’s arrivals at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The former Cambridge United central defender spoke to bwfc.co.uk after completing his move and admits he’s excited to be joining the club having seen the events of the last few weeks unfold.
He said: ‘I’m so pleased to be here. I’m absolutely buzzing to have got the move over the line and to now be a Bolton Wanderers player.
‘Seeing the type of players that have joined the club already this summer, it just shows what Ian (Evatt) is all about and what he wants from the season. It is exciting.’
A big strong lad who is capable in the air as you’d expect at 6 feet 5 inches tall, Taft also spoke about bringing the ball out from the back being a big part of the way he likes to play and his discussions with Ian Evatt prior to the move.
‘I’m a big lad so I’m good in the air, but I also like to play and bring the ball out from the back and start things off. How Ian wants us to play means it is crucial that I can do that.
‘When he took over, I got a phone call and came up to look around the place a few days ago. It’s Bolton, it’s a massive club. Other clubs were interested in me, but as soon as I heard about Bolton’s interest it was a no-brainer.
‘We had a real good chat and he went through everything; what he did last year and how he wants us to play this year. The football he wants to play is attractive, it will get the fans going and it’s what everybody wants to be a part of.
‘We know the goal this season, and that’s to get promoted. The squad that’s being put together, we should be well capable of that and we want to go out and show that on a Saturday.
‘Working with the Gaffer, he’s an ex-centre half as well so I think I’ll learn a lot. I’ve probably got a few years until I hit my prime so I really want to hit the ground running and improve as a player.’
Having earned promotion from League Two with Burton Albion in 2014/15, Taft knows what it takes to be successful at this level and highlighted some of the ingredients required for that to happen. The former Leicester City man says he’s looking forward to getting back into the thick of the action again.
‘I’ve been in and around League Two for a few years now and it’s a hard league. It’s going to be difficult but we need to remain confident throughout the season and try to get the results that will get us to where we want to be.
‘We’re going to have pretty much a whole new team come the start of the season, so it’s important that we gel well together and know how each other plays.
‘I’ve been promoted out of this league before so I’ve been there and done it. We’ve got to work hard throughout the season but I think we can do that and be successful.
‘I think I had a really good season last season at Cambridge. I played in a back three the same way that the manager wants to play here. He’s seen what I’m about and I think I can replicate that and push on.
‘I can’t wait to get going now. To put my boots on and get myself back out there on the grass. I know we start in small groups but it’s just going to be amazing to be playing football again.’