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Jon Dadi Bodvarsson reckons he finished the season in the best form of his career.
The Icelandic striker has quickly caught the Wanderers bug after a January move from Millwall, establishing himself as an important member of Ian Evatt’s side.
Seven goals in 14 games represents one of the more prolific spells in his six years in England, which has also included time in the colours of Reading and Wolves.
And Bodvarsson puts his early success down to settling quickly in his new surroundings and forging a strong bond with the club’s supporters.
“I have never felt better, being honest with you,” he said.
“On the pitch and outside it too, I feel great. It is a nice community, a nice area to live in.
“My family loves it here – my missus and the little one – and when they are happy it makes you happier.
“You go to Tesco and everyone wants to shake your hand and talk to you about football. It is great.
“When you are playing well on the pitch too, I am just loving it.”
Excitingly, Bodvarsson believes he can still improve on an impressive start to life at Bolton.
The 29-year-old had featured infrequently at his former club Millwall in the Championship, which meant his time on the pitch has had to be carefully managed.
He hopes a full pre-season with the Whites will help him become more robust and in-tune with Evatt’s tactical plans.
“I think pre-season will be vital because I missed it with Bolton and it would be good to get even more into things,” he said. “I feel great fitness-wise but I think a pre-season would do me a lot of good to be fitter and I am excited for that.
“I do feel it if you play three games in a row, you can feel it, but the manager has been really clever with me, especially at the start. He said there was no stress, no pressure, and that they would build me up the right way.
“Gradually he gave me more minutes in the right way and it has been really beneficial.
“I am really thankful for that.”
After finishing ninth this season, Wanderers are aiming to push towards automatic promotion next time around.
Reflecting on a league which will have Derby County, Ipswich Town, Peterborough United, Barnsley and at least one of Sunderland or Sheffield Wednesday – Bodvarsson admits the competition looks even stronger.
“I am really excited,” he said. “We will probably get more players, bring more quality in, and it is really important for a player and as a team.
“It is a big season. Bolton Wanderers as a football club wants to be up there and that is the goal.
“Football in England is incredible, the lower leagues just get stronger and stronger.
“When I was in the Championship it would feel stronger every single year. League One is going that way too.
“We know this team has only just been promoted from League Two, so it is good to get this season to see what we need to bring to the table to be up there.
“It will be tough but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
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