Wanderers have bolstered their attacking positions with three further additions to their ‘B’ team ranks ahead of the new season.
The Whites have given deals to striker Conor Carty and attacking midfielder Connor Stanley - who are both 20 - following their departures from Premier League clubs Wolves and Manchester United, respectively.
And 19-year-old forward Matty Grivosti has also joined to form part of the new ‘B’ squad after graduating from the Robbie Fowler Academy and helping Warrington Town reach last season’s Northern Premier League play-off final.
Carty (above) spent five years with Wolves after being spotted playing for St Francis in Dublin and moving to Molineux in 2017.
The Republic of Ireland youth international – who played for the host nation in the 2019 Euro Under-17 Championship – progressed through the U18s with Wolves to earn a professional contract which was extended in 2021.
Moving on to become a regular with the U23s, the central striker also made five appearances for Wolves in the EFL Trophy and now joins the Whites after helping Wolves win promotion back to the top tier of Premier League 2 last season.
Carty said: “The EFL Trophy games are more like men’s football, which suits my game a little bit so I really enjoyed those types of games.
“I think coming here now suits me. It’s a big club and I’m really looking forward to it.
“Hopefully there will be a lot of games to be involved in and I’m looking forward to getting started.
“Ultimately, the first team is the aim which is what I want to push towards.”
Stanley (above) had been at Manchester United since August, 2018 after starting his youth career in the Academy at Birmingham City.
A skilful right footer, the diminutive wideman – who can play on either wing, as an attacking midfielder and in the ‘number 10 role’ – played for United’s U18s before moving up to the U23s to play in Premier League 2.
He then gained senior experience with a loan spell to the United States with Atlanta United in 2021 and was a regular playing in the second-string side of the USL club.
After leaving Old Trafford this summer, Stanley is now looking to advance his career back in this country with Wanderers.
“The decision to come here was easy and I’m really excited to get started,” he said.
“Coming to such a massive club, I’m looking forward to kicking on and getting a lot of game time.
“I’m hoping to establish myself at the club and push towards the first team. I’ve been in academy football now for a while.
“I went out on loan in the States (Atlanta United) and played professionally out there which helped me a lot.
“I’m just looking to get back playing and really build some momentum and hopefully kick on and try and get into the first team.”
Grivosti will bring another forward dimension to the ‘B’ squad which is set to kick-off next season under Matt Craddock and player-coach Andrew Tutte.
The 19-year-old Liverpudlian operated mainly on the left flank for Warrington last season but can play across the front line and weighed in with nine goals from 21 league starts as the Yellows just missed out on promotion to the National League North.
Grivosti (above) combined playing for Warrington – who will face the Whites’ ‘B’ side in a pre-season friendly at the start of August – with a three-year course at the Robbie Fowler Education and Football Academy (FEFA) in Liverpool.
“Matty has been a role model for our students, while maintaining the highest standards in his academic and football pursuits,” said former Liverpool and England striker Fowler.
“He epitomises what the academy is about. Bolton have acquired a very promising young player.”
Grivosti represented England Colleges during his time with FEFA and having also cut his teeth in non-league football is now hoping to seize his chance with Wanderers.
“I’ve always wanted to get to a club like this and I’m made up to have got here,” said Grivosti.
“I had a great time at the Academy and playing for Warrington and scoring a few goals in that league – and all levels of non-league – you get interest.
“Luckily Bolton came along and spoke to the manager and he was happy for me to go and reach my potential.
“The ‘B’ team model is brilliant and including the men’s football in there because I’ve learned so much in one season. The experience is unbelievable.
“Wherever I am I want to play at the highest level so I want to reach the first team.
“But I know the progression here will be to go through the levels and make sure you’re performing in the ‘B’ team to then see if the first team are interested in taking you up. That’s my aim.”
The signings of Carty, Stanley and Grivosti follow the arrivals of ex-Norwich City midfielder Nelson Khumbeni and former Reading wing-back Lynford Sackey.
They will join their new team-mates to start pre-season training next Monday, initially as part of the ‘B’ squad which has been introduced to further develop the club’s young players with a view to hopefully breaking into the senior set-up at Wanderers.