BOLTON Wanderers boss Ian Evatt completed a busy January transfer window with a late deadline day move for winger Marcus Maddison.
He is one of a number of new faces recruited by Evatt as he looks for a strong finish to the Trotters’ League Two campaign.
Maddison arrives at the University of Bolton Stadium on loan until the end of the season.
He made his name at Peterborough United where he netted 62 goals in 249 appearances for the London Road outfit.
Born in Durham, he came through the youth ranks at Newcastle United before playing for Blyth Spartans, St Johnstone and Gateshead.
He joined The Posh in the summer of 2014 where he enjoyed a six-year spell before signing for Hull City on a six-month loan in January 2020.
Later that year he completed a permanent move to Charlton Athletic where he made ten appearances, netting twice in his short time at The Valley.
Maddison told the club’s official website: “As soon as I heard Bolton Wanderers were interested in me, they immediately became my number one choice.
“Bolton are a big club and are in a position where they shouldn’t be. I am going to do my best to help get them back to where they belong.”
Evatt told bwfc.co.uk: “Marcus is a fantastic talent and is a player I have long admired. He brings quality to the squad and will be a big player for us for the remainder of the season.”
The manager also moved to acquire central midfielder MJ Williams on an 18-month deal following his departure from Sky Bet League One side, Blackpool.
Versatile and capable of playing in defence as well as midfield, the former Wales Under-21 international made 14 appearances for the Tangerines during the first half of the season.
A graduate of Liverpool’s academy setup, Williams made his professional debut for the Reds in a League Cup tie against Middlesbrough in September 2014 before spending the rest of the 2014/15 campaign on loan at Notts County in League One.
Following stints on loan at Swindon Town and Rochdale, the Bangor-born midfielder signed permanently with the latter in August 2018 and made a total of 82 appearances for the club before a move to Bloomfield Road in August 2020.
Williams said: “I came here as a kid to watch Liverpool play and it’s a massive club. The fans are great and the sooner they are in the better. I love everything about the club – the stadium, the set-up and I just can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Oladapo Afolayan is another transfer window recruit. The 23-year-old forward has signed on loan until the end of the season from Premier League side West Ham United.
Evatt said: “We are really pleased to have brought in Dapo. He’s quick, strong and technical, and a very exciting talent that can play all along the front three.”
Danish goalkeeper Lukas Jensen has also signed for Wanderers on loan until the end of the season from Premier League neighbours Burnley.
The 21-year-old joined the Turf Moor side in September 2019 featuring regularly and putting in a string of impressive displays for the club’s Under-23s side.
Speaking about his move, Jensen said: “I’ve been looking to get some experience of senior football for a long time, where there’s something on the line in every game.”
A number of Bolton players have departed during the window. Ali Crawford has completed a loan move to fellow Sky Bet League Two outfit Tranmere Rovers.
Regan Riley has joined Norwich City on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee.
George Taft has also completed a permanent move to fellow Sky Bet League Two side, Scunthorpe United.
The switch comes after the central defender had initially moved to the North Lincolnshire club on loan last month.