Jack Iredale has become the first signing of the summer at Bolton Wanderers to get the club's transfer business off to a flying start.
The 26-year-old defender put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Wanderers to become Ian Evatt's maiden new addition ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Wanderers have started their transfer business early and are seeking to have the bulk of it in place before pre-season starts.
Iredale turned down the offer a fresh terms at previous club Cambridge United, where he has spent the past two seasons and made 89 apearances for the club. He joined from Carlisle United in 2020 and was part of the team which won promotion to League One in the 2020/21 campaign.
READ MORE: Positive Bolton Wanderers had in Jack Iredale transfer ahead of Wigan Athletic & PNE
Iredale has his sights set high with Wanderers for next season and he shares the ambition the club has to be at the top end of League One in the 2022/23 campaign and challenge for promotion.
He said: "That’s why I’ve joined the club. I’m ambitious as well. I want to do well for this club and I want to do well like the club wants to do well.
"There are some big teams in the division but Bolton is up there with the biggest of them, so it’s a real honour and privilege to be able to play for this club and I can’t wait to get started.
“I really enjoyed my two years at Cambridge, last season with promotion at the same time as Bolton, and then this season a really strong season in League One.
"But I felt it was time to take another step and I’m really excited that it’s with Bolton. I’ve played against Bolton a good couple of times over the last few years so I know how tough it can be to play against them. That’s why I’m so excited to play for them.
“By all accounts, especially since January, the form was really, really strong, which is another reason why I’ve chosen to come here and help continue with that momentum and hopefully do something special next season.
“Training with good players is only going to make you a better player. To join a squad with really good players is very exciting.”
A choice which will be faced by Iredale now is which shirt number to pick now that he is a Wanderers player. There are several to choose from.
In terms of outfield player numbers which are currently or will become free, the seven is available due to Nathan Delfouneso's departure, as is the 27 last worn by Alex Baptiste and the 29 which belonged to Liam Gordon.
The number 18 will also be free due to Andrew Tutte's departure, as will the 26 last held by Liam Edwards and the 41 held by Reiss Greenidge for this season, though he has been out on loan at Barnet for the campaign and will also depart Wanderers this summer.
The numbers worn by loanees Xavier Amaechi, Marlon Fossey and James Trafford are free for the time being, with Amaechi not returning to the club. Fossey and Trafford are wanted back by Wanderers for next season and may yet don them again should they return.
The number 21 remains free after it was vacated by Harry Brockbank after his January transfer window exit. The squad numbers 28, 31, 33, 35 to 39, 41 to 43, and 45 and above are the others which remain free.
