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George Johnston hopes his “crash course” at Wigan Athletic last season will ensure a smoother ride for Wanderers in League One.
The young defender went on loan to the Latics from Feyenoord in January and – after a difficult season off the pitch - eventually helped them avoid relegation by a point.
He believes the experience of the division will count in his favour after signing a three-year permanent deal at the UniBol.
“It was my first time playing professional football, consecutive games, so it was a good experience for me. I was what I needed,” he said.
“What I learned there, I probably couldn’t have got anywhere else. It was a crash course in men’s football.
“I managed to help them stay up, which was massive, but now it’s time to push on, which is why I joined Bolton.”
Johnston had other options in League One after making up his mind to leave Feyenoord and return to England after two years.
But he was attracted to the prospect of helping Wanderers push on this season in an effort to return to Championship level.
“It feels great being part of such a massive club on the rise, there’s a great project going on here and it’s something I was desperate to be part of,” he told the club.
“I always knew it as a Premier League club growing up and obviously it’s not where it should be right now.
“One of the reasons I came is to help it get back to where it belongs and I felt that it was the right decision for me at this point in my career.”
Ian Evatt also sold Johnston his vision for the club and the style of play which brought success in League Two last season.
“I spoke to him on the phone a few weeks ago and he made me feel wanted, which was massive for me. He told me what his plans were for next season and really wanted to be a part of that when I spoke to him.
“He told me about the way the team play and it suits me down to the ground, and what he wanted to achieve next season, and that’s exactly what I wanted as well.”
Meanwhile, former Wanderers defender Jordan Boon has played on trial for the newly-formed Macclesfield FC.
Academy graduate Boon played five times for the Whites at the start of the 2019/20 campaign and also had a spell with Spennymoor Town last season.
The 20-year-old is now looking to get a deal with the North West Counties League club.
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