Ian Evatt has congratulated and challenged five young Bolton Wanderers players to take the opportunities offered to them moving forwards after signing their first professional contracts with the club.
Defender Max Conway, midfielders Arran Pettifer and Matthew Tweedley, goalkeeper Ellis Litherland and defender/striker Lamine Toure have all agreed deals. The quintet, all aged 18, will now return for pre-season training later this month as fully fledged professionals.
They will form part of the club's new 'B' team which is taking shape this summer. The quintet have all come through Bolton's academy system and completed two-year scholarships.
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Pettifer and Tweedley have already both had a taste of senior action in last season’s Papa John’s Trophy. Left-back Conway meanwhile finished last season among the substitutes at first-team level in League One after training and travelling regularly with the senior squad.
Toure, a central defender who can also operate in a striking role, and Litherland have previously featured for the club's Reserves set-up last season. They will now be part of the 'B' team as they seek to break into the first team set-up at the club.
Wanderers boss Evatt said: “Congratulations to them all. Gaining a first professional contract is a big step in a young player’s career. It’s well deserved for each of them and now they have to build on that and make the most of the opportunities they are given.
“We very much want to produce our own players from within the Academy and with the changes we have made this summer, including the introduction of the ‘B’ team, that pathway is clearly open for home-grown talent to develop, progress and hopefully make an impact at Bolton Wanderers.”
Two players who were not offered professional deals at the conclusion of their scholarships were forwards Mitch Henry and Samuel Olawumi. Wanderers have thanked the duo for their contribution and wished both success in their future careers.
