Bolton Wanderers have confirmed the loan acquistion for the season of highly rated Liverpool prospect Conor Bradley.
The 18-year-old right-back has joined Ian Evatt's side for the upcoming season in League One. It will the first spell away from Anfield for the young defender and Wanderers have sealed their third signing of the summer.
He joins following Manchester City's James Trafford rejoining on loan for the upcoming campaign after a successful loan spell in the season half last season. Jack Iredale has also joined the club on a free transfer from Cambridge United.
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Bradley hails from Northern Ireland and has eight caps for his country at senior level. He is not part of the Wanderers squad which has travelled to Portugal and will link up with his new team-mates next Monday, following a break after being on Northern Ireland international duty.
The right-back has also played five times for Jurgen Klopp's side across the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. All of these appearances came last season, but will now spend the campaign out on loan at Wanderers.
Jurgen Klopp has spoken in glowing terms about the teenager in the past. The Anfield boss has described Bradley as a 'wonderfully talented boy with a big heart' and that it is a 'joy to have him around'.
And Wanderers boss Evatt is pleased to have the Northern Ireland international's signature believing the Whites have a real talent on their hands. Being a young player, he expects the defender to have ups and downs and is far from the finished article, but believes being able to attract a signing of his calibre speaks volumes of the player Wanderers have signed.
Evatt said: “I believe Conor will be a fantastic player for us. A huge potential with top level potential and I’m excited to work with him.
“You don’t play for Liverpool unless you’re elite and I believe Conor is elite. Is he the finished article? No. He’s a young player that’s going to have ups and downs this season, but I believe he’s going to have a lot more ups than downs.
“He has played a good few times for Liverpool now. He’s in the Northern Ireland full team, so it speaks volumes of what we’re getting into the building and what we think he can achieve with us.
“You don’t play for Liverpool in their current shape and form if you’re not exceptional and he’s an exceptional talent. Not only are we getting someone who I think is a really special player but I think it’s a huge marker for this football club as to where we’re at. The fact that Liverpool are choosing us for Conor’s development is a huge thing."
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