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Ian Evatt reckons Wanderers are becoming a “respected” place for Premier League sides to send their top talents on loan.
Manchester City’s James Trafford and Liverpool’s Conor Bradley have joined the Whites on season-long deals to continue their progress with regular football in League One.
Bolton’s reputation as a finishing school under Evatt is on the up, with facilities at the club and the style of football both key in getting deals for Trafford and Bradley over the line.
Evatt feels Trafford’s development, which peaked with him earning a first England Under-21 cap this summer, has helped Bolton become a reliable destination for loan players once again.
“It isn’t just a feather in my cap,” he said. “I’ll take confidence from that but it’s a huge team effort and the way the fans treated Traff and bought into Traff after a funny start when everyone doubted him before he kicked a ball!
“Not just the fans, you’ve got the rest of the staff. Sharon, her relationship is key. We’re becoming a place which is hugely trusted and respected in the North West, especially with those top four clubs.
So, it’s great for us and hopefully we’ll reap the rewards this season with Traff and Conor."
Wanderers are in the market for at least two more players this summer and Evatt has not ruled out using the loan market once again to supplement his squad.
Evatt believes his club will be at the front of the queue if the right players hit the market.
“We’ll always use the loan market as smart as we can but we’re never going to loan loads of players because I don’t believe that’s the right way,” he said.
"But we need to be selective when the right ones become available and make sure our hat’s in the ring and fortunately with James and now Conor, these top clubs are choosing us over other options.”
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