bwfc.co.uk continues its series of countdown articles profiling former players who have worn a specific shirt number for the club
In today's article, we cast an eye over three names who left varied impressions on the Bolton faithful during their stints for the club wearing the number 27.
John Salako
March 1998 – May 1998
A man who made his name during a nine-year spell with Crystal Palace in the late eighties and early noughties, former England international Salako’s stint with Wanderers was certainly brief to say the least.
Having clocked up over 200 appearances for the Eagles, he departed Selhurst Park in 1995 and spent the following three years with Coventry City from whom he joined the Whites on loan in March 1998.
Playing in seven games for the Trotters – all of which were substitute appearances – the midfielder couldn’t prevent the club from being relegated from the top flight and after departing the Reebok, he joined Fulham and then Charlton Athletic at the turn of the millennium.
Enjoying a stint with Reading from 2001 to 2004, he wound down his career with Brentford before retiring in 2005.
Where is he now?
Salako has moved into sports punditry with Sky Sports since hanging up his boots alongside coaching work while the 47-year-old is currently first team coach at Palace.
Daniel Braaten
August 2007 – May 2008
Spending just a solitary season with Wanderers, Norwegian international Braaten sadly never lived up to expectation at BL6.
Arriving in England having impressed for both Skeid and Rosenborg during his formative years, the wideman scored on his home debut against Reading in August 2007 but failed to find the target again for the Whites.
Limited to just 16 appearances in total – only six of which were in the Premier League – he played his final game for the club against Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup where he was unable to prevent Bolton from being knocked out of the competition.
Moving to Toulouse that summer, he impressed for the French outfit, enough to earn consequent switches to FC Copenhagen and Valerenga.
Where is he now?
Departing the latter earlier this year, the 34-year-old currently plays his football in his native Norway with SK Brann having signed a one-year deal with the club in February.
Lee Chung-Yong
August 2009 – February 2015
A name still held in the highest regard by the Bolton faithful, not many would have predicted back in the summer of 2009 what an impact Lee Chung-Yong would go on to have with Wanderers.
Signed from FC Seoul in his homeland for over £2 million, the South Korea international quickly endeared himself to the club’s fans by scoring six goals in his maiden season at the Reebok Stadium.
Scoring the goal which sent the club to Wembley against Birmingham City in March 2011, the winger sadly saw a fractured leg ensure that he missed all but two games of the Whites’ final season in the Premier League.
Remaining with the Trotter though in England’s second tier, his efforts for Bolton ultimately earned him a move to the capital and the top flight with Crystal Palace early last year.
Where is he now?
Chungy, as he was best known, has been limited in his opportunities at Selhurst Park so far but still only 28 years of age, the likeable wideman no doubt still has a bright future ahead of him.
Other Bolton No.27s include: Stuart Whitehead, Scott Taylor, Gerald Forschelet, Derek Niven, Bedi Buval, Cesar Martin and James Sinclair