Wanderers' series of articles profiling former players who have worn a particular number for the club continues
With just over three weeks to go until the start of the 2016/17 season, bwfc.co.uk runs the rule over three players who have worn the number 22 for the club down the years.
Mike Whitlow
September 1997 – July 2003
Enjoying an established 20 year career as a stalwart in defence for a number of teams, Northwich-born Whitlow is a man who is certainly still held in high regard by the Bolton faithful for his six years in the white of Wanderers.
Spending time with Witton Albion and Leeds United during his formative years – the latter of which he helped win Division One in 1991/92 - he moved to Leicester City midway through that campaign and impressed during a five year stay with the Foxes, racking up over 150 appearances.
Cherry picked by Bolton in 1997 following their promotion to the Premiership, he was unable to help the team remain in the top flight come the season’s conclusion but did help them return there in 2001 via the play-offs.
Remaining at the club for two further campaigns, he departed the Reebok Stadium for Sheffield United, figuring sporadically for the Blades before linking up with Notts County as a player-coach.
Where is he now?
Eventually hanging up his boots nine years ago, the now-48-year-old was recently appointed Mansfield Town Under-21s manager having previously served as Head of Youth at Burton Albion.
Jussi Jaaskelainen
November 1997 – June 2012
Without doubt one of the club’s greatest ever players, Jaaskelainen undoubtedly became part of the Bolton Wanderers furniture during his 15 years with the club.
Starting out his career in his native Finland with Mikkelin Palloilijat and then turning professional with the club before moving on to Vaasan Palloseura, Colin Todd brought a then virtually unknown 22-year-old to Bolton in 1997.
A swoop which proved to be a masterstroke, the Finn saw it all throughout his time at the club from promotions and cup final to European campaigns and relegations.
A man whose efforts for Wanderers earned him plaudits galore, one moment that no doubt sticks in the minds of most is his double save from Paul Scholes and Andy Cole in a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in October 2001.
Following the club’s demotion from the Premier League in 2012 however, Jaaskelainen decided that the time was right to move on to pastures new and swapped BL6 for the capital as he agreed terms with West Ham United.
Where is he now?
After three years in the capital, the Finn joined local rivals Wigan Athletic last summer and helped them earn promotion back to the Championship as winners of the division back in May.
Eidur Gudjohnsen
August 1998 – June 2000 and December 2014 – June 2015
Despite playing less than 100 times for the Whites over two separate spells, there is no doubting Gudjohnsen’s legendary status at Macron Stadium.
Moving to England in 1998 from his native Iceland after impressing on the club’s summer tour of Ireland, he was handed a first team debut against Birmingham City in September 1998 but was forced to wait until the following March to firmly break into the first team set-up.
The Whites’ star-man during the 1999/00 season, Gudjohnsen finished with 21 goals as the club reached the play-offs and both the FA Cup and League Cup semi-finals.
Having scored in the play-off semi-final first leg against Ipswich Town, injury forced him to miss the second leg as Bolton were knocked out in his absence and he signed for Chelsea shortly after.
A two-time Premier League winner with the Blues, he also lifted the League Cup in 2005 before departing for Champions League holders Barcelona the following year.
Enjoying three successful years at the Nou Camp, winning the treble in his final campaign, Gudjohnsen joined Monaco in 2009 before then returning to England where he linked up with Tottenham Hotspur on loan.
He then spent spells with Stoke City, Fulham, AEK Athens, Cercle Brugge and Club Brugge before the returning to his spiritual home in Bolton midway through the 2014/15 season, going on to score five times in 21 appearances and then moving to Chinese outfit Shijiazhuang Ever Bright last summer.
Where is he now?
Departing China earlier this year, the 37-year-old signed for Tippeligaen side Molde FK on a two year deal in February and represented Iceland in this summer’s European Championships.
Other Bolton No.22s include: Gerry Taggart and Stuart Holden