Manchester City defender Luke Mbete has left Championship side Huddersfield Town to join Bolton Wanderers on loan for the rest of the season.
In the summer, Mbete joined the Terriers for the season after making three senior appearances for the Blues. After initially featuring in four of the first five Championship matches of the campaign, the teenager dropped out of the pecking order in Yorkshire.
His last appearance for Huddersfield came in November during the goalless draw with Swansea City. Speaking after his exit from the Championship club, head coach Mark Fotheringham said: "Luke is a lovely person and has made every effort in his time with us, but it’s unlikely he would’ve seen much first team action going forward with [Tom] Lees, [Michal] Helik, [Matty] Pearson and [William] Boyle ahead of him, with the likes of [Ollie] Turton and [Jonathan] Hogg also available to fill in at the back.
ALSO READ: City could face unwanted Cancelo reunion
"I’m certain he’ll go on to have an excellent career, and it’s been a pleasure to have him as part of our group." Huddersfield went on to thank Mbete for his contributions and wished him well for the future.
Mbete has now ended his loan with the Yorkshire club early and will be swapping a relegation battle in the Championship for a promotion battle in League One with Bolton. Ian Evatt's side currently sit fifth in the third tier but have played several games more than their opponents who surround them in the play-offs.
Discussing his new signing, Evatt said: "We’re light on central defenders and, in particular, left-footed central defenders. Luke ticks a lot of boxes we look for.
"He’s a really talented young player, part of the England Under-21 set-up, who’s excellent with the ball, athletic enough to cope and defend one-on-one in large spaces. He’s played for Manchester City, which probably speaks volumes for how highly they rate him.
"He went to Huddersfield earlier this season where he didn't perform to his full potential, but part of our transfer policy, really, is to look for players that have a point to prove. After having a loan that didn’t really go to plan for him, he wants to come here and show everybody how good he is.
"We think what we do suits him and vice-versa, so we’re looking forward to working with him." Mbete will link up with fellow City loanee James Trafford at the League One club.
Find the Footballs on the MEN website and you could win £1,000. To find out more and register to play for FREE, click here.
READ NEXT:
