Wanderers recruit Arsenal youngster on a season-long loan
Bolton Wanderers have added another striker to their ranks by securing the services of Arsenal forward Benik Afobe on a season-long loan.
The 19-year-old has put pen-to-paper on his contract at the Reebok having recently returned from the Gunners’ tour of Asia, where he impressed in friendlies against Malaysia XI, Manchester City and Kitchee FC.
Manager Owen Coyle said: “Benik is a very exciting addition to our squad for this season and once again we would like to thank Arsenal and Arsene Wenger for agreeing to the loan.
“He is only 19 years old and you can see already that he is going to be a very good player. He has an eye for goal, is an athletic striker and there is much more to come from him.”
Afobe has been on Arsenal’s books since 2001 and has graduated through their highly-acclaimed academy.
In recent years, he has tasted senior football with loan spells at Huddersfield Town and Reading.
With the Terriers, in the 2010/11 season, he scored eight goals in 35 games as the West Yorkshire club narrowly missed out on promotion from League One.
Last season he played a part in Reading’s Championship title success, making three appearances during the final weeks of the campaign.
Afobe has 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.
Afobe continues Bolton’s close working relationship with Arsenal, following on from the loan spells that Jack Wilshere and Ryo Miyaichi enjoyed at the Reebok Stadium in the last few seasons.