Bolton Wanderers have confirmed the signing of Oldham Athletic teenager Tom Eaves for an undisclosed fee.
Eaves has signed a three-year deal at the Reebok Stadium after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.
Eaves has caught the eye of a number of Clubs but Wanderers swooped after the young forward hit a second half hat-trick against the Trotters in a recent pre-season friendly.
That performance persuaded Owen Coyle to step up his interest in the player and he is pleased to have recruited the youngster.
“We’re delighted to have him and we’ll look to gradually take step upon step with him, to such a time where he is ready to challenge for a first team place,” said Coyle.
“The fact he played in that pre-season game and did very well against us just cemented what we already knew about him, and that is that he is a young player with great potential making his way in the game.”
“We’d been and watched him previous to that. He played against Liverpool four days earlier and did very well. So we were very much aware of him before our friendly at Boundary Park, and we had actually started dialogue with Oldham before that match.”
“He’s not the finished article, he’s got a lot to improve on but he’s committed to work hard to do that. What he does have is a lot of attributes that we’re looking to bring into the football club. He’s 6 ft 4in, he’s mobile, he works his socks off and he has an eye for goal as well.”
“So for a young player, making his way up, he has an opportunity and we’ll provide him with a platform.”
