Wanderers have strengthened their U21 squad with the signings of striker Tom King and defender Finn Wilkinson as the Whites prepare to move into the Professional Development League.
The duo have signed two-year deals with the option of a further 12 months after impressing on trial during pre-season as they look to progress their careers with the Whites – initially under the guidance of U21s’ boss Julian Darby.
King joins Wanderers after leaving Cheltenham Town where the 19-year-old made 11 first-team appearances after progressing through the club’s youth set-up.
The former England U18 international made his first-team debut off the bench in League One in August, 2023 to become the club’s youngest ever EFL debutant and went on to take his senior appearances for the Robins into double figures over the next two seasons, scoring once in an EFL Trophy tie.
Cheltenham’s young player of the year in 2023/24, King (above) spent a spell on loan at Worthing last season and despite seeing his campaign curtailed by injury contributed to the Reds’ promotion success from National League South with a goal in three winning performances.
“I'm really happy to be here,” said King. “It's been a tough last year, so it's really good to get this move and I’m looking forward to working hard, settling in and playing a lot of games, hopefully scoring goals and showing what I can do.
“It didn't quite work out how I would have wanted it to at Cheltenham. I played a couple of games, but not as much as I wanted. That’s still my aspiration, to play at the highest level and play men's football, hopefully for a League club.
“The Category Two thing for the U21s here is really good and we're going to have a lot of tough, competitive games. We've got a good group, so we can show what we're about and, personally, I want to show what I can do and score loads of goals.
“This is a massive club and them getting promoted is a really big thing. Hopefully, they can do really well in the Championship this year and it’s going to be great place to be around.”
Wilkinson, meanwhile, makes the switch to the Whites following 12 months back at Blackburn Rovers after a spell in Accrington Stanley’s youth set-up when he made one senior appearance in the EFL Trophy in October, 2024.
The right-back, 18, was a regular in the U18 Premier League last season with Rovers – as well as featuring for the U21s in Premier League 2 – after starting his academy journey at Ewood Park.
“I’m buzzing to be here. Bolton’s a big club and coming from Blackburn it’s another good step for me,” said Wilkinson (above). “I was released after the U16s there and went to Accrington for a season. When that (academy) folded I joined back at Blackburn because of how well I did at Accrington and that gave me another chance.
“I had a good season at Blackburn last year and was unfortunate not to get offered a contract. But I managed to get myself here over the summer and can’t wait to get going fully now I've signed. I’d love to make an impact and develop myself further as a player and I’m hoping that at some point I can get into the first team.”
The Wanderers’ academy, which will play in the Professional Development League at U18 and U21 level this season after being up-graded to Category Two status under the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan, has also strengthened its staff with the appointment of Mackenzie Chapman (above) as new academy goalkeeping coach.
Chapman returns to Wanderers – where he spent a spell as a B Team player in 2022/23 – to oversee the development of the U18 and U21 goalkeepers and starts a full-time coaching career after leaving Salford City at the end of last season.
The 23-year-old also has the experience of being on the books at Blackpool, Oxford United and Oldham Athletic and joins the Whites after Andy Fairman left last season to take up a coaching position in the United States.