League One promotion chasers Bolton Wanderers have confirmed their first permanent move of the January with the departure of an “exciting” attacking midfielder to National League side Sutton United.
Steven Schumacher’s side is currently occupying the final play-off spot as the division prepares for Sunday’s round of fixtures. They sit one point above 7th-placed Stevenage, but seven points behind Lincoln City in the automatic promotion places.
The League One side have recorded the third lowest goals conceded so far this season, only behind Exeter City and Stevenage. With the January transfer window now open, clubs are able to bolster their squad as we head into the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.
Bolton Wanderers Agree Transfer for National League Loanee to Sutton United
The Trotters have received a welcome bonus at the start of the window by selling one of their loanees for an undisclosed fee. Dubem Eze has been on loan at National League side Scunthorpe United but has now made the permanent switch to Sutton United.
The former EFL side described Eze as an “exciting attacking midfielder” on their website, praising him for his “versatility, skill and trickery in the centre of the park”.
The 20-year-old never made a senior appearance for the third-tier side, despite joining from Norwich City in the summer of 2024. He has also been on the books of Chelsea, Chorley, Derby County, Warrington, and Halifax Town, amongst others.
Eze spoke to the Sutton media department regarding the deal:
“I’m over the moon, I’m excited to be here. It feels like I’m back home, being from just around the corner. It’s good to be here, and I’m excited to get started. It was a no brainer, speaking to Agi, he sold it to me as soon as I heard of the project, I’ve seen how things have turned and how he wants to finish the rest of the season it was a no brainer for me to come and sign here.”
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Early Decisive Transfers Key for Bolton Wanderers
This deal will not impact Bolton Wanderers’ League One campaign in any meaningful way. It was a player who joined with potential on a free transfer, but it hasn’t worked out. However, it is the kind of transfer that could easily take up the precious time of negotiators and club staff as the window builds up.
Bolton have a number of stars that Championship sides will be monitoring, and the club will also want to bring in its own reinforcements if it wants to go one better than its annual play-off spot. Getting smaller deals such as this out of the way early allows the focus to rest solely on the first team and improving in the second half of the season. Several of their competitors are already making signings, which could prove vital in the next few months.
For Sutton, it is a solid addition, and a player with non-league appearances, who can slot in nicely and hopefully provide more attacking threat as they desperately try to see off the threat of relegation out of the National League.