Bolton Wanderers are delighted to announce the signing of Samuel Iling-Junior on a season-long loan from Premier League club Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old winger becomes Steven Schumacher's ninth summer addition and arrives at the Toughsheet Community Stadium with a career already built at the top end of the European game.
Iling-Junior spent nine years in Chelsea's academy before moving to Juventus as a teenager, where he broke into the senior side at 19 and went on to make 45 appearances for the Italian giants. He scored against Atalanta in Serie A, assisted on his Champions League debut in Lisbon, and started the 2024 Coppa Italia final in Rome as Juventus lifted the trophy.
"An unreal experience," he said of his time in Turin. "It paved the way for me and allowed me to understand what football is and what it takes to be a winner."
Aston Villa paid a substantial fee to bring him back to England in July 2024. Since then he has added a further Champions League campaign with Bologna, where he scored twice in 16 appearances, and Championship football with Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion, before a spell in Serie A with Pisa last season.
He has also played at the Toughsheet Community Stadium before, scoring twice. Iling-Junior netted both first-half goals as England's Under-21s beat Luxembourg 7-0 at the Toughsheet in March 2024, his first two at that level, in the qualifying campaign that ended with the Young Lions crowned champions of Europe.
"I've got good experience of this stadium already," he said. "I scored a brace against Luxembourg here, so that was a good night." He has been capped by England at every age group from Under-15s to Under-21s.
Left-footed, quick and direct, he can play on either flank and has been used as an attacking wing-back when asked.
"I'm a direct player. I like to be creative and, most of all, I work hard for the team and want to express myself on the pitch," said Iling-Junior.
"I spoke to the manager and he understood my journey. That is what attracted me here, to take the next step in my career. I want to have a good season, put smiles on everyone's faces and be a consistent starter for this team."
Iling-Junior will wear squad number 16.
Wear the shirt that built the wall
The White Wall returns tomorrow for the Championship opener against Preston North End. Be part of it. The 2026/27 home replica shirt is on sale now in the Club Shop and online, with official printing available in store. The Club Shop opens at 9am tomorrow, so come early, get your shirt printed and take your seat for the walkout.
Iling-Junior's first interview will be available to watch on Wanderers TV later today.