Wrexham have completed the astute signing of Luke Bolton on a permanent deal from Salford City.
The winger arrives at Wrexham on a two-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at the Racecourse Ground till the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Phil Parkinson targeted investment in various areas as deadline day approached and after seeing striker Jack Marriott join from Fleetwood Town, the Red Dragons are holding out for one more acquisition, potentially in midfield.
As for Bolton, he arrives in North Wales on the back of a successful period at Salford. He made 92 appearances for the club, scoring six and assisting 15 times.
During his time at the League Two strugglers, he was predominantly used as a right winger, featuring there on 19 occasions this term.
The former Manchester City graduate thrives in one-on-one situations and is an expert at fashioning space for a cross.
Although Bolton is a right winger by trade, he has slotted into numerous positions in defence and midfield, demonstrating his versatility.
For a Wrexham side that predominantly use a 5-3-2 system and ask their wing-backs to get forward, the 24-year-old could be deployed in a surprise role under Phil Parkinson.
Phil Parkinson will use Luke Bolton as a right wing-back
According to the Athletic, Wrexham have signed Bolton to use his attacking attributes from the right-wing back position.
After the signing was confirmed, they wrote in their live transfer blog: “Wrexham, however, are expected to deploy Bolton at wing-back with his pace likely to add a new dimension to the club’s attacking play. He had a stint at full-back when on loan at Luton during the 2019-20 season”
During his spell at the Hatters, he made 23 appearances at right back and grabbed two assists.
Parkinson will want his new signing to provide an added dimension down the right flank while displacing the likes of Anthony Forde and Ryan Barnett.
Barnett and Forde have only supplied three assists combined for Wrexham this term and having shown his quality as a force down the right flank, Bolton will believe he can improve upon that total.
After all, he did begin his development as a youngster in Manchester City’s academy, so there is no doubt he possesses the technical qualities to fire solid service into Wrexham’s forward line.
At times this season, the final ball down the wing has been lacking from the right, however, their new signing is blessed with a wand of a right foot.
Parkinson was crying out for a top operator to play wing-back at this level and in managing to prise a Bolton from their League Two rivals, their chances of winning promotion have just increased.