What Richard Taylor’s first words were after joining Bolton Wanderers - supporters will love this | OneFootball

Bolton fans will love the verdict on their club from Steven Schumacher's latest recruit

Bolton Wanderers' latest signing, Richard Taylor, has described the "surreal" feeling he got after putting pen-to-paper on a three-year contract at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

After falling two places and 10 points short of the League One play-offs during a frustrating season under Ian Evatt and latterly, Steven Schumacher, the Liverpudlian has wasted no time in assembling a new-look squad during his first pre-season in charge of the historic Lancashire club.

Plenty of long-serving and high-profile names have departed over the summer, such as club captain Ricardo Santos, who is Swansea City-bound, whilst Nathan Baxter has also moved to the Championship, signing for Watford.

Meanwhile, the Trotters were able to acquire the services of Sam Dalby on a four-year contract upon the expiry of his deal at Wrexham, with the striker netting 15 times on loan at Dundee United last season, as well as capturing highly-rated midfielder Xavier Simons on another long-term deal for a reported £500,000 from Hull City and Charlie Warren from Felixstowe and Walton United.

Taylor became Schumacher's third signing of the off-season on Friday, fending off competition from Preston North End and Luton Town for the St Mirren defender, who will officially join the club when his contract with the SPFL side expires at the end of the month.

And, it would be fair to say that the 25-year-old may have made an immediate impression on the Whites faithful with his first comments as a Bolton player.

When looking at Bolton's current standpoint in comparison to 20 years ago, many view the Greater Manchester side as a 'sleeping giant', especially when looking at the greats who have pulled on the shirt such as Jay-Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo, Nicolas Anelka, Jussi Jääskeläinen and many more.

The club haven't shied away from their ambitions to at least return to the Championship as a competitive force, and these two facets made it a no-brainer for Taylor to move south of the border, as he explained in his maiden interview with official club channels.

"Really excited to be here," he began. "I'm kind of lost for words.

When asked what the club's main attractions where, the defender responded: "Just the dynamic of the club, the history of the club.

"Obviously, they're a massive club. I had a conversation with the gaffer and that was it, really.

"It is almost surreal to put into words. To play on a stage like this (the Toughsheet) is will be an honour.

Taylor was then quizzed as to how he would best describe his play-style, and it would have certainly boosted supporters' viewpoints and only backed up Schumacher's decision to strike a deal.

"I like to see myself as a jack of all trades," he continued.

"I can do many different sides of the game. But, I'm here to defend and, obviously, get us promoted," Taylor stated.

The centre-back brings the experience of over 50 SPFL games and a brief stint in the UEFA Europa Conference League with him as part of what will be a new-look Bolton given the amount of turnover in the off-season.

Aside from the new additions thus far, there is still an experienced core of players who achieved two play-off finishes and won the EFL Trophy in April 2023, and the experience of featuring in big games and being on both sides of the result is an element which Schumacher and supporters will hope stands them in good stead for the upcoming season.

Schumacher was also able to deliver a League One title-winning campaign during his first full season in charge of Plymouth Argyle two years ago, as the Green Army secured silverware ahead of Kieran McKenna's double-promotion-winning Ipswich Town outfit and Sheffield Wednesday.

Wanderers have made an extremely impressive start to the window, and if Schumacher and the recruitment team at the Toughsheet are able to continue conducting business in this manner, it will be no surprise to see the side among the promotion chasers alongside the likes of Luton, Plymouth, Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Stockport County.