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Wanderers signed James Trafford on loan from Manchester City knowing a longer-term deal is unlikely, The Bolton News understands.
The 19-year-old keeper has agreed a lengthy contract extension with his parent club before making the move to the University of Bolton Stadium.
Trafford’s existing deal had been due to expire next summer, raising hopes that Bolton may be able to sign him on a permanent basis.
But speaking to The Bolton News in Portugal, Ian Evatt confirmed he will not be a free agent.
“I think he’s signed a new contract, which is exceptional for him,” he said. “We’ll be waiting a while for him I think!
“But that’s credit to him that he’s got that contract and also credit for us because we put him in a position where he was able to get that contract.
“I’m happy for him, happy for us, looking forward to working with him again this season.”
Trafford is highly rated by City and after winning his first England Under-21 cap earlier this month, the club are keen to see him progress this season with Wanderers.
A move abroad to one of the Blues’ affiliate clubs has been discussed for the past two summer transfer windows but it was eventually decided that Trafford would be more comfortable staying in the North West at this stage of his career.
The Cumbrian keeper bounced back from an indifferent spell with Accrington last season to prove a real hit with Bolton from January onwards.
Playing 22 times and keeping clean sheets in his first four starts, Trafford helped make Wanderers one of the form sides in League One from mid-January.
It is hoped that momentum can now be carried through to this term, and a push closer to the top six.
"Obviously I've came here to try and get promoted. But there's no point keep going on about it because everyone knows we want to try and get promoted,” Trafford said on re-signing with Bolton Wanderers.
"But we showed with the form from the Ipswich game onwards that we can hang with the best teams in the league. We did well so getting promoted is obviously what I've come here to do.
"I'm really looking forward to the season and just building relationships with everyone and everyone building on the challenges that we have.
"I'm really excited to develop and I've got my goals and challenges that I'm going to have. But I'm really looking forward to it. I'm still young but I'm enjoying playing men's football and just playing games."
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