WANDERERS have completed a surprise striker capture ahead of the League One kick-off against Stockport County, bringing in Hull City’s Mason Burstow on a season-long loan.
The 6ft 2ins 21-year-old joined the Tigers last season for a reported £2million from Chelsea and has already played more than 50 games in the Championship.
Burstow started his professional career with Charlton Athletic, playing 23 times and scoring six goals for the Addicks before being snapped up by Chelsea in February 2022.
He played twice in the Premier League for the Blues before spending some time on loan with Sunderland and then moved permanently to Hull in August last year, playing alongside another one of Bolton’s new arrivals, Xavier Simons.
Burstow scored against Stockport in a friendly at the weekend and hopes to do exactly the same at Edgeley Park when the two sides meet on Sunday.
“I think another one on Sunday would be a perfect start,” he said. “I've obviously played against them this Saturday, so I have a bit of familiarity with how they're going to set up and hopefully I can get off to a good start like I did at the weekend.
“Whenever you score, friendly or competitive, it's always a good feeling. It always gives you that extra boost of confidence as well. So, with the new shirt and the new club, hopefully I get the same result.
“I’m looking forward to wearing this shirt and representing the club, with the stature of Bolton as well. It's always a club you look at and think they definitely are better than League One, so hopefully I can help get over the line.
“I’m excited to get started. It was one of the plans that they needed a striker and I'm glad they decided to go with me. I had a few conversations with the gaffer and our plans and ideas for the season align, so it should be good.
“It'll be good to meet the lads and hopefully fit in straight away, with the other new boys as well, and then we can get off to a flyer.”
Burstow’s arrival ends a long wait for Steven Schumacher, who has been trying to bring in another striker for several weeks.
The head coach said: “This is another important signing for us and we’re delighted to have Mason on board,” he said. “We’ve made no secret of the fact that we wanted to add another striker to the squad and Mason fits the bill for the type of player we wanted and with the attributes we were looking for.
“He’s still a young player but one with a good taste of first-team experience at a high level who wants to keep improving and developing with us. Hopefully we will bring the best out of him in a role he’s keen to play and I’m excited about what he can do for us this season.”
Wanderers have spread their net to speak with a few different strikers over the last few weeks and they retain an interest in bringing Celtic’s Johnny Kenny to the Toughsheet.
Personal terms were proving problematic in their discussions with Charlton Athletic’s Gassan Ahadme, and the latest loan arrival would seem to cast some doubt over whether that deal gets done.
Bolton are also on the lookout for a left-sided defender and hope to have an 11th signing of the summer in the building by the weekend.
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