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Conor Bradley doesn’t know exactly what comes next in his promising football career but leaves Wanderers in no doubt about the role they have played in improving it.
The 19-year-old will return to Liverpool this summer to prove to Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp that a fine year in League One has prepared him for first team duties.
Factoring in his international games for Northern Ireland, Bradley has made 60 appearances this season. And while he will be pleased of a few weeks to rest up, he believes the hectic schedule he has encountered puts him in better stead as he goes back to his parent club.
“I am going back to Liverpool, I’ll have a little bit of time off to relax and recover because it has been a long season,” he said. “I’ll go back in pre-season and then see what happens from there, whether I go out on loan again, or stay there, it is up in the air.
“I came here to become a better footballer but I have also become a better person, so I am very thankful to them for all the hard work they have done with me.
“I am very thankful to them. I wanted to grow up a little bit, toughen up a little bit, so I am glad I got to do that.”
Bradley is disappointed that his final game for Bolton ended on a down note, as Ian Evatt’s side were beaten in the play-off semi-final at Barnsley.
The youngster was visibly upset after the final whistle but a few days on was able to put his whole campaign into better context.
“I am definitely quite sad, especially after the game on Friday, but I have loved my time here, it has been a mental year,” he said. “I remember sitting here for the first day of the season and I never thought it would go as well as it has.
“It was difficult with how it ended on Friday, especially way the two games went. I felt like we didn’t play as well as would could have done, individually and collectively, I don’t think anyone would disagree with that,” he said.
“We were all disappointed but the season as a whole has been really good. To have got to Wembley at such a young age and play in front of the crowd, to win a trophy, even to experience the play-offs was brilliant. It has been a great year.”
Liverpool boss Klopp wants to bring Bradley back for pre-season, with the club due to fulfil commitments in the Far East and Europe over the summer.
The youngster gave a polite and diplomatic response when asked if he would consider returning to Wanderers once again.
“Maybe, we’d just have to wait and see, anything can happen,” he said. “But I’d guess if I was going out on loan it would be at a higher level but I’ve definitely loved my time here.”
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