New signing relishing link-up with former Everton team-mate Jermaine Beckford
New signing Lukas Jutkiewicz is hoping that Jermaine Beckford can help him quickly settle into life as a Wanderer.
Having impressed early on in his career whilst at Swindon Town, Jutkiewicz was snapped up by Premier League side Everton for £1million in 2007.
Three years and three loan spells later, despite being in direct competition with recent Goodison recruit Beckford the pair immediately hit it off on a pre-season tour of Australia.
Jutkiewicz said: “I was with Becks (Jermaine Beckford) for a little while at Everton. He had joined from Leeds in the summer and we were competing for a spot in the squad.
“We went away and spent pre-season together in Australia. Despite him being a striker and direct competition for a place, we got along very well.
“Jermaine is not only a top player, but a top guy. Even in my first few days here at Bolton he has helped me a lot.
“He obviously has that experience and is a lively character - someone I can get on well with. It’s always a big help knowing people when you walk in the door.
“I also know Matt Mills and a couple of the other lads through mutual friends.
“I’ve only briefly met some of the lads here. I did have a good chat with the manager and the positivity that came through him was evident straight away.
“I have previously come across the manager during games when he was at Crystal Palace. I also know a lot of lads that have worked under the manager before and have heard nothing but good about him.
“I’m obviously very happy to be here and to have everything sorted. I’m very excited, so hopefully things will work out for both myself and the club.
“Having watched Bolton this season, I don’t think they are far away from being a very good team.
“It seems that they have been having a lot of possession in games and have been looking the stronger side – that was certainly the case when I came with Middlesbrough earlier in the season.
“I’m very much looking forward to being part of the team here.
“One thing is that I’ll always give my all on the pitch. I’m a hard-working striker who can hopefully score a few goals for the team.”