Bolton Wanderers have secured the futures of four key players in a major boost for the club.
Midfielders MJ Williams, Kieran Lee and George Thomason, along with defender Gethin Jones, have all signed new contracts to extend their stays at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The quartet all played key roles in helping Wanderers secure promotion from League Two last season.
And after helping the Whites gain a foothold in League One this time around – and reach the knock-out stages of the Papa John’s Trophy – they have now committed to prolonging their Wanderers’ careers and continuing the progress being made under manager Ian Evatt.
“We are delighted they have all signed new deals, which are thoroughly deserved,” said Evatt.
“They have all made major contributions in their time here so far and now we know they will continue to do that for a longer period going forward.
“They have different levels of experience and backgrounds but are all excellent players who we believe can continue to improve and grow with us and help the club keep moving forward.
“They fit in exactly with what we are doing here and it’s great to know – thanks to the backing of the club’s owners – that more of the squad is now in place longer term.”
Right-back Jones, 26, has signed a deal running until June, 2024, while the midfield trio have all extended their contracts until the end of the 2022/23 season.
Ex-Everton youngster Jones – currently recovering from a stress fracture to a fibula – has made 50 league appearances for Wanderers since signing from Carlisle United at the start of last season as a key element of Bolton’s back four.
Midfield linchpin Williams, 25, who also started his career on Merseyside with Liverpool, joined Wanderers from Blackpool at the end of the 2021 January transfer window and has started every league game since as an integral part of the Evatt blueprint.
Lee, 33, brings vital experience and higher division know-how to Wanderers as he closes in on 400 career appearances.
The former Oldham Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder also joined Wanderers in January, 2021 as one of the catalysts for last season’s successful promotion surge before re-establishing himself in the starting line-up in recent weeks.
Ex-Blackpool youngster Thomason, 20, is yet to start a league game this season but racked up an impressive 24 League Two appearances last season after making the step up from Longridge Town and remains a major prospect for the Whites.
Thomason has started each of Wanderers’ three wins in the Papa John’s Trophy group stages, including Tuesday night’s 3-0 victory at Rochdale which secured their qualification for the knock-out rounds ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup first-round tie at home to Stockport County.