Bolton Wanderers have announced the signing of American defender Tim Ream from New York Red Bulls for an undisclosed fee. A statement on Bolton’s website read, “The United States international has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at the Reebok Stadium after making the move across the Atlantic. Ream, 24, returns to Wanderers after spending a week-long stint training with the football club at the back end of last year during the MLS off-season.”
Bolton manager Owen Coyle praised Ream’s attitude and went on to add, “Tim is everything that we want in the players we are bringing to the club when we spend in the transfer market. He is young, has a tremendous attitude and a winning mentality. I know he will fit in well with the rest of the squad here at Bolton.”
Coyle also stated that other clubs such as West Brom and Arsenal were also interested in the defender and that he was glad that the player chose to sign for the Trotters.
The player acknowledged that he knew of the interest from Bolton ever since he trained with them last month and was glad to make the switch to England. He stated, “From the first day here I felt really comfortable. The gaffer said that I had nothing to prove and it was a chance to get to know the guys and the coaching staff, and that put me at ease from the very beginning.”
Ream started his career in the MLS with New York Red Bulls almost two years ago. Since then, he has made a total of 65 appearances for the club and has found the back of the net once. The player has also made 7 appearances for the US national side.
Gary Cahill’s departure to Chelsea earlier in the transfer window had left a gaping hole in Bolton’s defence and Ream has undoubtedly been signed to fill that void. At just 24-years of age, Ream certainly has his best years ahead of him and could prove to be a wonderful long term acquisition. Standing at 6 feet and 1 inch, the defender certainly has the physical stature to compete in the Premier League and the Trotters will hope that he can quickly adapt to the rigours of playing in England so that their survival bid can receive a huge impetus.
(TheSportsCampus)
