Bolton Wanderers have signed versatile defender Will Forrester from Port Vale, becoming Ian Evatt’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old joins goalkeepers Nathan Baxter and Joel Coleman as well as wing-back Josh Dacres-Cogley and Dan Nlundulu who has signed permanently following last season’s loan spell – but what exactly do we know about the latest addition to the Wanderers ranks?
Will Forrester’s career to date
Born in the Cheshire town of Alsager, Forrester joined the Stoke City academy at the age of six and progressed through the youth ranks until making his first-team debut on the final day of the 2020/21 season where he scored in a 2-0 victory away at Bournemouth.
With starting opportunities looking limited the following season, Forrester was loaned out to League Two side Mansfield Town.
However, the young defender’s time at Field Mill was hampered by an ankle injury that limited him to just seven appearances before returning to Stoke in January.
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Forrester closed out the 2021/22 season with three more first-team appearances for the Potters before he made the contentious move to Stoke’s local rivals Port Vale – the first transfer between the two clubs since 1978.
Following his move to Vale Park in July 2022, Forrester quickly won himself a spot in the League One side’s back three and impressed over the course of the season as the Valiants avoided relegation.
Forrester appeared in 38 matches in all competitions and scored twice throughout the season, even going on to win Port Vale’s player of the month award in both October and February.
What Will Forrester brings to the Bolton table
Will Forrester joins Bolton on a three-year deal after Wanderers agreed an undisclosed fee for the player, believed to be six figures.
The 22-year-old defender stands at 5ft11 in height and can play across the back three and even featured as a right-back in his early appearances for Stoke.
Forrester largely played on the right side of the back three for Port Vale last season and is confident playing the ball out from the back and is happy to venture forward when needed.
Ian Evatt’s latest signing not only adds extra competition for places in Bolton’s defence but Forrester’s arrival also adds some much-needed depth that Wanderers were lacking at times last season which saw MJ Williams drafted into a makeshift defence after Ricardo Santos, Gethin Jones and Eoin Toal all suffered injuries during the run-in.
Speaking to the club website after completing the move, Forrester said: “I’m looking forward to playing under the gaffer because I know they like to play football, so it suits me perfectly. When I knew about the interest, the first thing you look for is how does the team play?
“Bolton suits me down to a ‘T’ the way that they play, so hopefully I can go and show what I’m about and give the fans something to cheer about. I’m delighted to be here.”
Port Vale fans offer insight
As is often the way when a new signing is announced, Wanderers fans were quick to quiz Port Vale supporters on social media about the defender.
One fan on Twitter wrote: “Good on the ball, likes to stride forward and can defend. Caught [out] a few times last season, and didn’t play as many minutes as I’m sure he’d have liked or we would have. Good prospect for the future, but is miles behind Johnston, Santos and Toal from what I’ve seen of them.”
While another added: “He’s a solid defender for 22 who’s surprisingly agile and good on the ball. If you can get rid of the few mistakes then he can play in the Championship easy.”
“Bags of potential, can look like a world beater one minute especially getting forward, but then has a mistake in him straight after,” commented this fan. “Keep him fit, and give him a run, and he could do very well. Wish him the best of luck.”
This Vale fan advised caution, however: “Not ready for you yet. Huge potential but injury prone and has a mistake in him.”
“He has a lot of potential, still makes a few mistakes here and there but he’s still young. Loves a drive up the pitch,” wrote another.
And finally, this fan said: “There’s a very decent player in there, persevering with him is key. He’ll get stronger. Positionally decent & a willing learner. Top bloke too, I hope he flies with you.”
In other news: Where Bolton still need to strengthen before the transfer window ends