Dapo Afolayan reveals why it was the right time to move to Bolton Wanderers

Dapo Afolayan joined Bolton Wanderers at the start of the season from West Ham’s youth set-up and his first season with his new side has been a largely successful one. 

This season the 24-year-old has made 44 appearances for Bolton scoring 14 goals and contributing four assists making him popular at his new home where he won the player of the year award.

Reflecting on his first year with the Whites and the decision to find himself regular football, he felt the move came at the perfect time as he told The Bolton News: “For my age it was the right time to go – I’d felt it for a few years.

“When I joined West Ham I was 20 and came from Solihull Moors in the National League and my ambition was always to play first team football.

“It didn’t work out for a number of reasons, injuries, manager changes, all sorts, but again I just wanted to play first team and every window I was looking to get out on loan.

“When the opportunity to come to Bolton arrived I’d spoken to the manage about two or three days before the window closed and in my head it was done and dusted. I was buzzing because of everything I knew about the club. I just wanted to get here, play games, especially because when I arrived they were thick and fast.”

Although Bolton would have hoped to finish a bit higher in the play-offs, the goal scorer feels positive about his side’s season as he said: “We went on an incredible run and then to come and build on it again, especially with the fans because we only saw a little bit of them towards the end of last year when we were almost up and had pockets of them at some games.

“It has been unreal this season, so for me, it was the perfect time to come here.”

The Verdict: 

Afolayan has had a brilliant first season with Bolton