Top-flight striker Dan Nlundulu has completed his move to the Whites to add another attacking dimension to Ian Evatt’s squad for the remainder of the season.
Nlundulu joins Wanderers on loan from Premier League side Southampton to become the second new arrival at the University of Bolton Stadium since the opening of the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old’s capture on a temporary deal until the end of the 2022/23 campaign follows the permanent signing of wide player Randell Williams from Hull City as Wanderers hit the ground running in the transfer market.
Nlundulu – who made 15 first-team appearances for Southampton in the 2020/21 season, including a dozen in the Premier League – faced Wanderers earlier this season during a productive loan spell at Cheltenham Town.
The powerful frontman, who also has the pace and movement to get in behind defences, proved a handful in helping the Robins win 1-0 in October, setting up the only goal of the game at Whaddon Road.
Nlundulu ended a second loan stay with Cheltenham last weekend with five goals to his name and will now be looking to increase that tally in an expansive Wanderers’ side seeking a further goal threat to enhance their top-six challenge in League One under Evatt.
“He’s a player we’ve been aware of for a long time” said the Wanderers’ manager, whose side pushed league leaders Plymouth all the way last Saturday without being able to deliver the knock-out blow in 0-0 draw.
“He’s a player with an excellent pedigree; Chelsea, England Youth, Southampton and played in the Premier League.
“He’s had some successful loans and we feel he’s a bright prospect and one we’re looking forward to working with.
“We’re looking to add and strengthen as much as we can and we feel Dan is a part of that."
Evatt added: “It’s another good player in the building. We are striving for improvement and striving to be better and we feel the ones we’ve signed so far are going to make us better.
“We do create chances. It’s well documented that we’ve not taken a lot of those.
“It’s kind of a ‘what if?’ scenario but for now we’ll focus on the process. Our performances have been pretty good.
“We’ll keep trying to do the same thing and hopefully Dan can start taking some of those chances – along with everybody else.”
France-born Nlundulu was capped at U16 level by England after moving from the youth set-up at Chelsea to Southampton.
After featuring for the Saints’ U21s in the EFL Trophy and progressing to the first-team ranks at St Mary’s Stadium, the striker then gained further senior experience in League One loan spells at Lincoln City and Cheltenham.
Nlundulu has now made it a hat-trick by joining the Whites and after being cup-tied for Tuesday night’s Papa Johns Trophy tie against Portsmouth, will be eligible to face Pompey in League One at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday.