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Wheater completes Bolton move

David Wheater will provide Bolton manager Owen Coyle with another option in defence. © Getty Images

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Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of defender David Wheater from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £2.3 million, with a further £1.5m in possible add-ons.

The 23-year-old centre-back, whose contract was due to expire in the summer, has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Premier League side, becoming Owen Coyle's first signing of the January transfer window. A former England under-21 international who has been named in a number of full international squads, Wheater joined up with his new team-mates at the club's training ground on Thursday morning.

"I met with the manager and we had a good chat about football. I had a look around the facilities and it was a really easy decision to make," Wheater said. "From what I've seen there is a really great atmosphere at the club and a real buzz about the place and I'm looking forward to working hard and showing the manager what I can do."

Coyle also admitted his delight at concluding the deal, highlighting Wheater's ability and leadership qualities as reasons behind the move.

"First and foremost we are absolutely delighted to get a player of David's quality into Bolton Wanderers. The hunger that he has shown in wanting to come to the football club has been first-class," Coyle said. "There has been a lot of competition for his signature and again this shows a willingness on our behalf to invest in young players.

"The club have parted with good money to secure the services of a very talented player who has been involved with England squads before. We want him to be involved at that level again and to do that he will have to play well for Bolton Wanderers, however he has arrived here with a real desire to achieve that.

"He has a great character as well. He will integrate into the group straight away and it all adds to the fantastic spirit that we have within the squad."

Wheater, who was born just north of Middlesbrough, made over 150 appearances for his local club and was a regular presence in their disappointing Championship campaign to date, which currently sees Tony Mowbray's side sit 19th in the table.

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