Bolton Wanderers sign ex-Norwich City midfielder Eze to B Team ranks

WANDERERS have signed ex-Norwich City midfielder Dubem Eze on a free transfer.

The 19-year-old midfielder will go into the B Team squad after signing a two-year deal with the Whites, with an option for the club to extend for a third season.

Eze started his career with Chelsea and also played in Derby County’s youth system before moving to Carrow Road at the start of 2022.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Warrington Town, scoring twice in six appearances in the National League North, and also spent some time on trial with Bolton, which led to him becoming the B Team’s first signing of the summer.

Eze – no relation to the England international Eberechi Eze - has now set his sights on playing first team football He said: “It's the next stage of my career here where I’ll be looking to try and break through into the first team at some point if I can and kind of establish my career as a professional and a first-team football player.

“I'm just so happy to be here and to sign for this club. I was here last season and got a taste of things and feel for how everything was going to be and I'm just happy to be here permanently now.

“It was good to play in games for the B team and I also had the period out on loan at Warrington where I performed quite well got a couple of goals and met some of my targets there.

“Overall, I was happy with how I finished last season and I just want to carry it on into this season.”

Eze hopes to follow the path of another former Norwich man, Nelson Khumbeni, who broke into Ian Evatt’s senior team last season and also had loan spells with AFC Fylde and Morecambe.

“When I first came here on trial at the club he (Khumbeni) took me under his wing and looked after me,” he said. “The development and progress he has shown while being here is another reason why I have also taken the step to come here and I hope to do well like he has.

“I'm hoping to have the best pre-season possible. I have worked over the off-season to come in the best shape I can and I really just want to make my mark, whether that's with the B Team or when I get opportunities with the first team, to show what I can do and kick-start my career. I'm just happy to be here.”