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We're delighted to announce the signing of defender Jack Iredale on a three-year deal.
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Wanderers are delighted to confirm defender Jack Iredale as their first new signing of the summer in a rapid move into the transfer market.
Iredale has agreed a three-year deal with the Whites as manager Ian Evatt kicks off his squad strengthening plans.
The left-back, 26, joins Wanderers after reaching the end of his contract with Cambridge United – where he has spent the past two seasons – and will link up with Evatt’s squad when they return for the start of pre-season training on 17 June.
Wanderers have wasted no time in starting their close-season business as they look to build on the momentum of a superb end to last season, which saw Evatt’s men sign off with four successive wins and a record of just three defeats in their final 22 games.
And Iredale will significantly strengthen a squad which is looking to kick on from their ninth-place finish after impressing with the U’s in League One last term.
The Greenock-born defender made 35 league starts after previously playing a key role in Cambridge’s promotion success in 2020/21 when the U’s went up alongside Wanderers.
And after making the switch to the University of Bolton Stadium, Iredale aims to keep progressing by looking to aid another promotion challenge with the Whites next season.
“That’s why I’ve joined the club. I’m ambitious as well. I want to do well for this club and I want to do well like the club wants to do well,” he said.
“There are some big teams in the division but Bolton is up there with the biggest of them, so it’s a real honour and privilege to be able to play for this club and I can’t wait to get started.
“I really enjoyed my two years at Cambridge, last season with promotion at the same time as Bolton, and then this season a really strong season in League One.
“But I felt it was time to take another step and I’m really excited that it’s with Bolton. I’ve played against Bolton a good couple of times over the last few years so I know how tough it can be to play against them. That’s why I’m so excited to play for them.
“By all accounts, especially since January, the form was really, really strong, which is another reason why I’ve chosen to come here and help continue with that momentum and hopefully do something special next season.
“Training with good players is only going to make you a better player. To join a squad with really good players is very exciting.”
After growing up in Australia – a country he has represented at youth level – Iredale returned to Scotland to sign for Greenock Morton in 2017 before spending a season with Carlisle United in 2019/20, where he was a team-mate of Wanderers’ vice-captain Gethin Jones.
He then joined Cambridge in August, 2020 and made a total of 89 appearances – scoring five times – during his time at the Abbey Stadium.
Iredale was offered a new contract by Cambridge but having made the switch to Wanderers will now provide extra experience and proven competition for places, primarily for the left-back role but with an option to play more centrally and as a wing-back.
“This is a great start to what we want to do this summer in terms of adding to the squad and thanks again to Sharon and the board for allowing us to move so quickly,” said Evatt.
“Jack is a player we’ve been keen on for a while and a proven performer at League One level, who we believe can also operate higher.
“He will provide genuine competition for places, which is something we want in all positions as we will look to keep moving the team and the club forward.
“He is a talented defender and technically very good who will add to what we already have and we look forward to working with him next season and beyond.”
