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Former Wanderers boss Keith Hill has hailed George Thomason’s “unbelievable” development.
Hill brought Thomason – picked out by The Athletic as one to watch in the EFL in 2024 – to Bolton in January 2020 after the midfielder had caught the eye while playing for Longridge in the non-league pyramid.
The 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength under Ian Evatt, attracting interest from the Championship earlier this year.
Hill, who also had spells in charge at Tranmere and Scunthorpe, says his mind was made up quickly about signing the midfielder after watching him train.
The former Wanderers chief says Thomason had the right attitude from day one despite coming into a “difficult situation” at the time.
Hill recalled: “Lee Ashcroft, his manager, who’s a good friend of mine, said, ‘Listen, I’ve got this player for you - George Thomason’.
“We brought him in for training and we were doing a passing drill, the first stages of the warm-up, pre-training session, and I wanted to sign him straight after that passing drill.
“He just got it. He understood it, left-footed, unbelievable energy, personality, very quiet but very humble and very appreciative of the opportunity he got and he’s continued to gain at Bolton.
“He also wanted to learn and it was a very difficult situation for him to come into Bolton at the time.
“What he has done since with Ian Evatt and the way that he has developed within that team is unbelievable.
“I have got no doubt that he has the right attitude, application and characteristics to play in the Premier League, but a lot of players are seeking those opportunities and I just hope George does get one.”
Thomason has scored three goals in 20 league this season, most recently in the 3-2 victory against Leyton Orient last weekend.
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