World Cup winger Jayden Nelson has jetted in to join the Whites to take the number of summer signings into double figures.
The Canadian international arrives from MLS side Austin Texas for an undisclosed fee after agreeing a four-year deal with Wanderers – subject to international clearance.
The flying winger brings with him experience in Major League Soccer with Toronto, Vancouver Whitecaps and Austin and in Europe from a spell at Norwegian club Rosenborg – including games in the Europa Conference League in 2023 – and on loan at German club SSV Ulm.
Nelson was also called up late to Canada’s World Cup Finals’ squad earlier this summer and took his number of full international caps to 15 with an appearance in the co-hosts’ last-16 exit to Morocco.
“It’s something that you don't really dream of, being a Canadian and having a World Cup in your backyard,” said the Ontario-born 23-year-old. “I grew up playing there with Toronto FC, so being able to play at BMO Field was something special and having friends and family in the stadium.
“It was really nice to be a part of that squad but I'm still hungry for more and hopefully I get more appearances and we're able to push further than we were. We created history with that squad, but we're pushing for more.”
After completing his international duties Nelson kicked off the season with Austin, the club he joined from Vancouver in January. But after playing his final game in the United States last Thursday, the wideman is delighted to have been able to make the switch to Wanderers to have a crack at the Championship – an environment he believes will be to his liking.
“It means a lot. This is a big club with a lot of history and I think the people here are bringing it in the right direction,” added Nelson, who will add to Wanderers’ attacking positions in the wide areas following the arrivals of Kyliane Dong and Samuel Iling-Junior earlier in the window.
“As a club, it’s very interesting to me and I was attracted by the football that we play. I think it suits me very well. I always wanted to play in the Championship. I know it's probably one of the most competitive leagues in the world. It's a lot of back and forth, a lot of fun games to watch and I want to be a part of that.
“I think Bolton is a great place for me to get a taste of it. I think the league has a lot of transitions and that's me. I like to be direct. I like to go one-on-one. I like to have my defender on their heels and that's something I want to bring to Bolton, so that's something you should be expecting to see.”
Nelson arrives on the back of an unbeaten start to the Championship from Steven Schumacher’s men and becomes Wanderers’ 10th signing of the summer transfer window ahead of the 1st September deadline.
He will train with his new team-mates tomorrow and is excited at the prospect of a first match-day at the Toughsheet Community Stadium when the Whites face Lincoln City on Saturday looking to back up their opening-day home win over Preston North End.
“It's world-class. I think one of the biggest things about Bolton is the stadium that we have here. It’s beautiful and I can't wait to play there,” Nelson told Wanderers TV.
“When the interest came around that's the first thing I looked at. I watched the home opener and it was rocking and it gives me chills to see when it's actually full. I just can't wait.”
Watch the first full interview with Jayden on Wanderers TV and to secure your place at Saturday’s big home game against Lincoln City, click HERE to buy a ticket