Wanderers have completed a deal for Liverpool’s Luca Stephenson as a further exciting addition to their new-look squad.
Full-back Stephenson becomes the Whites’ fourth summer signing so far after agreeing a four-year-contract at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Wanderers have paid an undisclosed fee for the 22-year-old right-back and Anfield academy product, who will add further to the Whites’ defensive options ahead of their Championship return.
Stephenson, who has also played in more advanced roles as a wing-back and in midfield at various points of his fledgling career, ends a near eight-year stay at Liverpool to make Wanderers his new home.
“I've spoken a lot in the past couple of years about wanting to find a permanent home. I didn't mind where it was but to be at such a big club like Bolton, I think literally the minute I spoke to Fergal (Harkin) a couple of months ago now, it was the only place I really wanted to come,” Stephenson said.
“You know, the size of the club, the facilities here, the stadium, unbelievable. I came to a couple of games at the end of last year and watched the game against Bradford here in the play-offs.
“Just to see the atmosphere in the stadium, it makes you think, ‘you know, I want a piece of that,’. From speaking to a lot of people who have played for the club in the past and a few of the lads that are here now, nobody had a bad word to say about the place. There were just positive words everywhere and it's something I wanted to be a part of.”
Former Sunderland youngster Stephenson joined Liverpool from his hometown club at under-15 level and advanced through the academy ranks on Merseyside to become a professional with the Reds and spend time with the former Premier League champions’ senior squad.
The Wearsider didn’t make a competitive first-team appearance for Liverpool but featured on pre-season tours and after captaining the club’s U18s side and playing in Premier League 2 for the U21s, gained senior experience on loan in League Two at Barrow and then in two season-long stays at Dundee United.
A big hit north of the border, Stephenson helped United finish fourth in the Scottish Premiership in 2024/25 to qualify for European football when he was a team-mate of Wanderers’ current player of the year and Tangerines’ top scorer Sam Dalby and was named Dundee’s young player of the year.
After signing a new contract at Liverpool 12 months ago, he then returned to Tannadice and made a further 29 starts in the Scottish top-flight, scoring five times and at times captaining the side as Dundee United finished seventh in the table in 2025/26 and arrives at Wanderers with 105 senior appearances on his burgeoning CV as he looks forward to tackling the Championship for the first time.
“The one thing I always want to do is play games,” Stephenson, who has previously seen fellow Liverpool youngsters Conor Bradley and Owen Beck enjoy their spells with the Whites, told Wanderers TV.
“It's brilliant being a Liverpool player and they've kind of given me a lot and they've taught me a lot, but there's nothing like playing men's football. You can't replicate that at Liverpool playing for the 21s. I found that I wasn't going to get the chance to play for the first team every week and that's why I made the decision to come here.
“I've grew up watching a lot of this level. I've been a big Sunderland fan myself, so I've watched them for the past few years in the Championship and I've seen what it's all about.
“I've obviously never played at this level before but I've always been wanting to play in it and test myself. I spoke to the manager last week. He was asking me if I was ready for the challenge and said what kind of challenge it's going to be and let's get up for it.
“He said let's take every game to everybody and don't fear anybody. That's something I really liked and wanted to get on with.”
Stephenson follows defenders Akin Famewo and Ben Davies and attacking midfielder David Watson – who have also all played in the SPL at some point – in joining the Whites following last season’s promotion and will link up with his new team-mates when they return to pre-season training next Monday.
Watch the full interview with Wanderers’ latest new signing on Wanderers TV