Eoin Toal has become Bolton Wanderers' fourth signing of the summer.
The 23-year-old centre half has become Bolton's fourth signing of the summer transfer window. He joins Jack Iredale as a permanent acquisition made this summer, along with Manchester City and Liverpool loanees James Trafford and Conor Bradley.
He has now been confirmed as the fourth signing made this summer for the club's first team and has put pen to paper on a three-year-deal at the University of Bolton Stadium and joins for an undisclosed fee. After a first bid was turned down by the Candystripes, Wanderers were successful with a second approach for the former Northern Ireland under-21 international.
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Toal has made more than 150 appearances for Derry and scored six goals, with his contract at the Candystripes expiring later this year. This season, he has turned out 20 times in the League of Ireland Premier Division and scored once.
He was also Derry's captain and last played for them in European competition, with the club competing the Europa Conference League in the qualifying stages against Riga FC. But he now joined Wanderers and committed his future to the club.
We spoke to Derry Journal sports reporter Kevin McLaughlin to get insight into Bolton's new signing, Toal's progression as a player during his time with the Candystripes and the potential he has both with club and country. Here's what he had to say.
- For Bolton fans who have not seen Eoin Toal in action, how would you describe him and his playing style?
"Eoin is a big centre-back who is comfortable on the ball and is commanding in the air. He reads the game well and his big long strides means he very rarely gets caught out with pace."
- How has he performed and grown for Derry since joining the club and how good has he been for the club, especially being captain too?
"Since his arrival at Derry City from his home town club Armagh City, Eoin, has developed into a top quality centre-back, one of the best in the League of Ireland. While he's a quiet lad, his desire and leadership skills, which he has shown especially in recent years since becoming captain, has been there for all to see."
- How good a player are Bolton getting for their money and do you think he will be a success in England?
"Bolton fans have got one of the best centre-backs in Ireland and once he gets up to speed and used to Bolton's style of play, I believe the Bolton fans will be delighted with their new recruit."
- Eoin is still only 23 and has time to progress and develop even further - what are his greatest strengths as a player and which areas are felt he still perhaps need to improve upon?
"His strengths is his ability in the air and the ground. However I expect once he gets use to the pace in the league, he'll improve in his decision making in terms of when to pass and when to bring the ball out from the back."
- He is a former Northern Ireland under-21 international and he now has Dion Charles and Conor Bradley for team mates at Bolton. Could you see him one day representing Northern Ireland at senior level?
"Current Northern Ireland manager Ian Barraclough was Eoin's manager for a while at U21 level and he has spoken about him before, so I would expect to Eoin to be involved in the NI squad sooner rather than later."
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