Bolton Wanderers confirmed that they had secured the services of Benik Afobe on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal on 3 August, 2012.
The 19-year-old Striker put pen-to-paper on a deal at the Reebok after returning from the Gunners’ pre-season tour of Asia.
Afobe has been on Arsenal’s books since 2001 and graduated through their academy – that has produced some fantastic players over the years.
In recent times, and in between making his Arsenal first-team debut, he has had loan spells at Huddersfield Town and most recently Reading towards the end of their promotion-winning season.
He has also represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and, most recently, Under-19 level, where he scored seven goals in ten appearances between October 2010 and May 2012.
The signing continues Wanderers’ affiliation with Arsenal, with both Jack Wilshere and Ryo Miyaichi having enjoyed successful loan spells at the Reebok in the last few years.
In his first appearance for the club, Afobe replaced Marvin Sordell at half time and scored a hat-trick as Wanderers registered an impressive 3-1 win over Tranmere Rovers in pre-season.