WANDERERS will move quickly to replace goalkeeper Luke Southwood after his completed his move to Bristol Rovers.
Steven Schumacher invited a keeper for a trial in Saturday’s secret training ground game against Tranmere Rovers and is expected to seek an experienced option to compete with Chelsea loanee Teddy Sharman-Lowe in League One this season. The trialist played 45 minutes, but it’s unclear whether he’ll join the squad for their pre-season training camp in Marbella, which includes a friendly against Orlando Pirates on Friday.
Southwood joined Rovers for an unknown amount, capping a 12-month spell with the Whites that included 26 games and five clean sheets across all competitions. The Northern Ireland international has signed a two-year contract at the Memorial Stadium, reuniting with manager Darrel Clarke and goalie coach James Bittner, both of whom he previously worked with at Cheltenham Town.
Southwood, who joined Bolton on a free transfer last summer, replaced Nathan Baxter as the club’s number one for over half of the season. However, he failed to earn Schumacher’s entire faith soon after his appointment as head coach, and he was told in May that his chances would be limited as the team sought to sign a new goalkeeper. On Saturday, the Whites signed winger Amario Cozier-Duberry on a season-long loan from Premier League Brighton. It is understood a left defender and a striker are still on the cards, with a back-up goalkeeper entering the list, although Bolton have not ruled out doing even more business if they opt to move on any more of their squad.
According to reports on Sunday, if Preston North End’s Brad Potts cannot be signed, League One rivals Huddersfield Town may approach club captain George Thomason. Thomason is Bolton’s longest-serving outfield player, having joined the club from non-league Longridge Town in January 2020. He has made 123 appearances for the Whites, scoring eight goals, and replaced Ricardo Santos as captain last season. Thomason turned down a £1 million transfer to Championship side Bristol City in August 2023, but signed a new deal shortly after that keeps him to the club until 2027.
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