Blackpool's MJ Williams joins Ian Evatt's Bolton Wanderers in permanent deadline day deal

The 25-year-old, who only arrived at Bloomfield Road at the start of the season, has joined the Trotters on a permanent deal, agreeing an 18-month contract.

Williams has made 14 appearances for the Seasiders this season, with six of those coming from the start in League One.

The former Rochdale man has, however, started Blackpool’s last two games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Wigan Athletic respectively.

However, those cameos came in the midst of a mini-squad crisis for the Seasiders, who were missing as many as 10 first-team players due to a combination of Covid-19 and injuries.

“There was talk about me coming here in the summer just gone and it came back up about four or five days ago," Williams said of his move.

"I spoke to the gaffer and he sold it to me and I just couldn’t wait to get it sorted.

“I came here as a kid to watch Liverpool play and it’s a massive club. The fans are great and the sooner they are in the better.

"I love everything about the club – the stadium, the set-up and I just can’t wait to get stuck in.”

With Pool’s recent acquisition of Kevin Stewart, Kenny Dougall and Grant Ward now back in contention and Matty Virtue and Ethan Robson also in the mix, that pushes Williams down the pecking order.

Williams, who came through Liverpool’s youth system, was out of contract at the end of the season having only penned a one-year deal with the Seasiders.

His departure also frees up space in Blackpool's squad.

Bolton boss and Blackpool legend Evatt said: “We are delighted to bring in MJ. He’s a player I looked at in the summer but we went down a different route and he went to Blackpool.

”He was highly thought of as a young player at Liverpool and played for them. He’s done really well in League One and is very good with the ball.”

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