Seventeen-year-old Nigerian left-back Adeshina Tomi has signed his first professional contract with League One side Bolton Wanderers, marking a remarkable ascent from grassroots football to the professional stage .
Tomi, a standout at Pilkington FC U23s in the Cheshire League Division One (Step 8), rose through the renowned Steven Gerrard Academy before earning a scholarship at Bolton. He was among a select group of academy graduates awarded their first pro contracts this summer .
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Head of Academy Dave Gardiner praised the new cohort: “They’ve all worked ever so hard to get to that stage and to get rewarded with that pro contract.” He added,
“The hard work starts here…if they get the opportunity, it’s down to them to go and take it” .
For Tomi, stepping into the professional ranks represents a lifelong dream realized. He expressed his gratitude and determination after signing:
“From playing grassroots in Nigeria to wearing the Bolton shirt professionally—it’s surreal. I’m ready to give everything for this club.”
Bolton’s recent Academy overhaul saw nine youngsters—including Tomi—signing pro deals, following a season that saw the B Team secure the Lancashire FA Senior Cup and Youth Alliance titles.
As part of the B Team setup under coach Andy Taylor, Tomi joins a pathway designed to transition academy prospects into senior football .
Tomi’s journey from Pilkington FC to Bolton’s pro ranks highlights not only his talent but the strength of Bolton’s youth development. With patience, hard work, and trust from the club, the left-back is poised for what the academy hopes is a smooth progression into first-team contention.
As the club prepares for the 2025–26 League One campaign, all eyes will be on Tomi and his fellow academy graduates to see whether they can seize their moment.
