[themaclad]

Bolton Wanderers defender George Johnston is likely to miss the entirety of next season after suffering a serious knee injury in their pre-season win at Bamber Bridge.

The 24-year-old will have surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament.

Johnston joined Wanderers from Wigan in the summer of 2021 and has made 93 appearances, helping the club win the EFL Trophy earlier this year.

"As we feared, it's the worst possible news," boss Ian Evatt said.

"There are no further complications, which can be the case. It's quite a straightforward one, so there are some positives to take.

"George has been a terrific player for us and will be again, and he will have all the support and care necessary to get him back to full fitness as quickly as possible."

Johnston's absence comes after the Whites signed fellow centre-back Will Forrester from Port Vale earlier in July.

[themaclad]

Bolton Wanderers have signed forward Carlos Mendes Gomes from Premier League side Luton Town on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Senegal but grew up in Manchester, started out at Morecambe and becomes the Trotters' seventh summer signing.

Mendes Gomes scored nine goals in 37 games on loan at Bolton's fellow League One side Fleetwood last season.

"He's someone who has been on our radar for a long time," boss Ian Evatt said.

"Carlos is coming to us from a Premier League club with experience of playing in the Championship and League One.

"He's a proven performer in our current division and, at just 24, someone we believe is capable of going higher again and progressing on this journey with us."

During his two seasons with the Hatters he scored two goals in 15 games, having impressed with 18 goals in 91 at Morecambe.

[themaclad]

Bolton Wanderers have signed midfielder Paris Maghoma from Premier League side Brentford on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old came through Tottenham Hotspur's academy before joining the Bees during the summer of 2020.

Last season he had spells on loan with AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons, making 20 appearances in League One during his time at Stadium MK last term.

"He's someone we've monitored closely and we're delighted to have him with us," boss Ian Evatt said.

"He's got an excellent background in terms of where he has started his career and then gained really good experience last season, including a significant number of games in League One.

"He has got a bit of everything and will strengthen our midfield options, and add to the competition for places going into the season."

[themaclad]

Bolton Wanderers defender George Johnston has signed a new three-year deal, weeks after being ruled out for the 2023-24 season with a knee injury.

The 24-year-old former Liverpool player suffered a serious injury in Bolton's pre-season friendly at Bamber Bridge.

His previous contract had been set to expire next summer.

"We wanted to make sure he's looked after and can concentrate on his recovery knowing his future is secure," boss Ian Evatt told the club website.

Meanwhile, former Rochdale and Wolves right-back Luke Matheson has joined Bolton's B team on a one-year deal.

The 20-year-old became Rochdale's youngest debutant when he featured in an EFL Trophy tie at the age of 15, before scoring in a Carabao Cup tie at Manchester United in 2019.

[themaclad]

Bolton have confirmed that last season's top scorer Dion Charles has extended his contract until 2026.

The 27-year-old striker found the net 16 times in League One last year to help Wanderers reach the play-offs.

Charles has already scored three goals this season, including an equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Burton.

"He is a key player, as his volume of goals show, and this means he will be around for a long time to score plenty more," said Trotters boss Ian Evatt.

"I believe he is one of the leading strikers in the EFL [English Football League]. This is further proof that Dion, and the club, are determined to keep progressing."

The Northern Ireland international, who began his career at Blackpool, joined Bolton from League One rivals Accrington Stanley just over 18 months ago.

[themaclad]

Bolton Wanderers have extended the contract of Aaron Morley to keep him at the club until June 2027.

The midfielder still had 18 months to run on his current deal, but he has now agreed terms on a new one.

Morley, 23, is three shy of a century of Bolton games since joining from Rochdale in January 2022.

"This is where I want to be at this time of my career and, hopefully, we can push on together," he said.

Morley, who has scored 10 goals for the Whites, told the club's website: "The club is still too low for what kind of club it is. We always want to get back into the Championship and potentially the Premier League.

"That's always a dream for me, so hopefully we can do that together."

[themaclad]

Bolton Wanderers have signed right-back Calvin Ramsay on loan from Premier League side Liverpool until the end of the season

The 20-year-old joins Bolton having spent time on loan at Championship side Preston North End earlier this season.

Ramsay made just two appearances for the Lilywhites this term having struggled with a knee injury.

"Things didn't work for him at Preston for a few reasons which we understand," boss Ian Evatt said.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester he continued: "That can happen. We felt the need to bring some competition in to that area and to give us some extra options. We're really lucky to have him.

"He's a talented young player. He came to Liverpool with a huge reputation and a huge transfer fee for someone his age.

"Our relationship with Liverpool is fantastic and we thank them for trusting us with him."

[themaclad]

Bolton have announced that Cameron Jerome and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson will leave the club at the end of their contracts next month.

Wanderers, beaten by Oxford in the League One play-off final last weekend, will also bid farewell to defender Declan John, who spent last season on loan at Salford City.

Iceland striker Bodvarsson, 31, joined Bolton in January 2022 and scored 25 times in 94 appearances, including 10 goals in 46 games this season.

Jerome, 37, signed an 18-month contract with the club in January 2023 and after scoring just once in his first 49 games, he netted in successive matches against Shrewsbury, Port Vale and Peterborough last month to help earn Ian Evatt's side valuable points in their promotion chase.

Wales international John, 28, will also not be offered a new deal after making 92 appearances across four seasons with Bolton.

Bolton, meanwhile, have triggered extension clauses in the contracts of 21-year-old goalkeeper Luke Hutchinson and midfielder Nelson Khumbeni, who was at Morecambe on loan last season.

[themaclad]

Bolton Wanderers will sign Chris Forino from Wycombe Wanderers when he becomes a free agent on 1 July.

Forino joins Bolton on a three-year contract after making 90 appearances for Wycombe and scoring eight goals after coming through a successful trial in 2021.

The 24-year-old central defender is Bolton's first signing of the summer as they look to bounce back from losing the League One play-off final to Oxford United last month.

"My earliest memories of this football club were watching them on Match of the Day in the Premier League, so I know it’s a club with ambition and this feels like the right fit for me," said Forino.

[themaclad]

Bolton Wanderers have signed goalkeeper Luke Southwood on a two-year deal after he turned down the offer of a new contract with Cheltenham Town.

The 26-year-old began his career with Reading, where he made 26 Championship appearances for the Royals.

He joined the Robins permanently last summer after an initial loan spell and made a total of 99 appearances during his time with the club.

“As soon as this opportunity came around, I couldn’t wait to get it done. I just can’t wait to get going now," he told the club website., external

“Everyone knows what the goal is for this season, and we’ll be doing all we can to make it happen.”

Bolton reached the League One play-off final last season but were beaten by Oxford United at Wembley.