Bolton Wanderers have strengthened their Championship squad with a double signing on 28 August, bringing in goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu from Southampton and midfielder Atsuki Ito from Belgian side Gent, both on three-year deals for undisclosed fees, according to the BBC.
Ito adds creativity and goals from midfield
Atsuki Ito, 28, arrives from KAA Gent having registered six goals in 63 league appearances for the Belgian club. The Japanese midfielder is understood to bring technical quality and experience of continental football to a Bolton side that has hit the ground running since winning promotion to the second tier.
His signing takes the club's summer recruitment drive to 12 players, a significant reshaping of a squad that will need genuine depth to cope with the demands of Championship football across a long season. Ito represents a notable piece of business in terms of profile, with Bolton recruiting from outside the British Isles as they look to build a squad capable of competing at this level.
Bazunu joins from Southampton
Alongside Ito, Republic of Ireland international Gavin Bazunu, 24, has also completed his move to the Trotters. The goalkeeper made 92 appearances for Southampton after joining from Manchester City in June 2022, and ended last season on loan with Stoke City. Bazunu brings experience and international pedigree to the Bolton goalkeeping department as the club seeks a reliable last line of defence in the Championship.
With 12 summer arrivals now confirmed, Bolton's recruitment team has been among the busier operations in the division during the transfer window. The sheer volume of incomings suggests the club are taking the step up in class seriously, targeting established quality across multiple positions rather than relying solely on the squad that secured promotion.
Christie departs by mutual consent
The same announcement confirmed that Bolton have terminated the contract of defender Cyrus Christie by mutual consent. The 33-year-old joined Wanderers as a free agent in September 2025 and made 30 appearances in all competitions before the club opted to part ways. The mutual consent exit tidies up the squad picture as the window approaches its close and frees up a contract slot following the arrivals of Bazunu and Ito.
Business still to be done?
Bolton had previously been linked with further activity before the transfer deadline, and supporters will be keen to see how the squad looks once the window shuts. With 12 signings already through the door, the club have prioritised volume alongside quality, though the true test of whether the recruitment hits the mark will come on the pitch across the Championship campaign ahead.
Ito's ability to contribute directly in front of goal from midfield will be a particular point of interest for those tracking Bolton's progress. Six league goals across 63 appearances for Gent suggests a player who can chip in with important contributions, and the hope at the club will be that he can transfer that form to the rigours of the second tier.
Both Bazunu and Ito will be eligible to feature immediately, and manager Ian Evatt will now have options to weigh up as Bolton continue their Championship campaign.
Frequently asked
- Who is Atsuki Ito and where did Bolton sign him from?
- Atsuki Ito is a 28-year-old Japanese midfielder who joined Bolton Wanderers from Belgian club KAA Gent on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He scored six goals in 63 league appearances for Gent before making the move to the Championship.
- How many signings have Bolton made this summer?
- The arrivals of Atsuki Ito and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu bring Bolton's total number of summer signings to 12 ahead of their Championship campaign.
- Why did Cyrus Christie leave Bolton Wanderers?
- Defender Cyrus Christie, 33, left Bolton Wanderers by mutual consent. He had joined the club as a free agent in September 2025 and made 30 appearances in all competitions before his contract was terminated.