Bolton Wanderers confirmed the signing of former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Luke Matheson yesterday afternoon.
The defender may be a familiar name to some after he stole the limelight at Old Trafford as a 16-year-old, scoring a late equaliser for Rochdale to take their Carabao Cup tie against Manchester United to penalties.
Now 20 years of age, the defender has signed a one year deal with the Whites which will see him initially link up with the B team.
So, what has happened since his overnight stardom at the Theatre of Dreams?
Rochdale’s youngest ever player, following his debut at 15 years of age, Matheson continued with the Dale until January of the following season before leapfrogging to the top flight with Wolves in 2020.
He cost the West Midlands outfit £1million and was sent straight back to Rochdale on loan until the end of the season.
The following campaign saw Matheson resided to Wolves’ youth set-ups, so in search of senior minutes he joined Ipswich Town on loan but was unable to make his mark. After two appearances he returned to Molineux.
Another two loan moves were on the agenda during the 2021/22 season. The youngster first joined Hamilton Academical, where he would play 11 times, before being recalled to facilitate a move to Scunthorpe United.
He reunited with former Rochdale boss Keith Hill whilst with the Iron, making 13 league appearances before the end of the season.
Matheson returned back to Wolves’ academy for the 2022/23 campaign where he would stay until his release this summer.
It is safe to say that not everything has gone quite to plan for the defender so far in his career, especially after the dizzy heights of that night at Old Trafford, but it goes without saying that he has a lot of potential still to be unlocked.
What impact could Matheson have?
Former sporting director of Wolves, Kevin Thelwell believed that he would go on to become a ‘top talent’, and he still has time on his side to do just that.
There is no reason to suggest that Matheson could not force his way into the first team picture at the Toughsheet Community Stadium should he perform for the B team, but he has to make his mark quickly given the nature of his contract.
It is certainly an intriguing move, and one which is sure to have many eyes overlooking it.