Bolton Wanderers goalkeeping coach Matt Gilks hopes James Trafford can improve and develop on loan for the upcoming season after returning to the club from Manchester City.
The 19-year-old joined Wanderers from City in the January transfer window, after a loan spell at Accrington Stanley came to an end. He proved to be a hit at Ian Evatt's side, as he became the club's number one goalkeeper in the the second half of the campaign in place of Joel Dixon.
He played 22 times for the Whites and kept clean sheets in his first four games, setting a club record in the process. He also notched two assists in League One.
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Talks with parent club City ended productively as the young England under-21 international has signed up for another season at the University of Bolton Stadium. He will link up with the squad for the upcoming pre-season friendlies when the club returns from a pre-season training camp on the Algarve.
Gilks will be coaching Trafford on a full-time basis this season after confirming his retirement from the game this summer. The former Blackpool stopper is pleased that Wanderers have been able to secure Trafford's return for the 2022/23 season.
Gilks feels that Trafford is a 'great addition' to the Whites' squad for the upcoming campaign. He hopes that the youngster carries on from where he left off last season.
Speaking about Trafford's return, Gilks said: "It's a big signing. I think if we can get a full season out of him playing like he did last year, and hopefully he can improve under me and the staff that are here.
"He's a great addition. The fans took to him, we took to him. He's a great character and he's a bit of a throwback, actually, a bit like myself.
"We're looking forward to having him back and it makes it easier that he's already been here last year and he just carries on hopefully from where he left off."
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