Bolton Wanderers have confirmed Sam Dalby as their first signing of the summer following his release from Wrexham.
Dalby, who rejected the Red Dragons’ new contract offer in January, has penned a four-year deal with their former League One rivals.
Dalby rejected a new Wrexham contract earlier this yearGettyThe 25-year-old scored 13 goals in 92 appearances for Phil Parkinson’s side after joining from Southend in 2022.
However, the forward found himself behind Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher at the start of last season.
As a result, he spent the recent campaign on loan in the Scottish Premiership, where he enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career.
His 15 goals helped Dundee United qualify for the European Conference League next term.
Having been named on Wrexham‘s released list last month, Dalby had the pick of options in both the Championship and League One.
He has now revealed he settled on a switch to Bolton because of the promotion ambition being shown by the English fallen giants.
“You have just got to look out there, really, 20,000 fans cheering you on every week, such a big club with massive ambition,” he said.
“The whole club is aligned with what they want to do.
“They want to get into the Championship as soon as possible, and that’s something I really want to be a part of.
“I came in a couple of weeks ago and as soon as I met [manager Steven Schumacher and sporting director Fergal Harkin] I realised what the ambitions were, how much they wanted me to come in and fit into the team, to be honest, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to come here.”
Dalby helped Wrexham win successive promotions into League OneGetty He headed out on loan after pre-season last summerGettyDalby has been handed the coveted number 10 shirt for Bolton, previously worn by Jay-Jay Okocha and Peter Reid.
“He is a player whose progress we have monitored closely, and to bring him to the club, especially considering the strong interest from elsewhere, is a fantastic piece of business for us,” Wanderers boss Schumacher told the club website.
“Sam’s performances in Scotland last season spoke volumes about his capabilities. Crucially, he has really bought into the vision Fergal and I are building here at Bolton Wanderers.
“He gives us a different attacking profile with his physical presence and his eye for goal. At 25, he’s at an excellent age, with his best years ahead of him, and we’re excited to work with him and help him develop further.
“We were looking for a player who could add a different dynamic to our frontline, and Sam fits that requirement perfectly.
“I am confident he has the mentality and the quality to make a real positive contribution, and I’m sure our supporters will be eager to see him play.”
Wrexham have announced seven other players who are leavingGetty Images - GettyDalby started his senior career at Leyton Orient, before having spells at Leeds, Watford, Morecambe, Stockport County and Woking.
His form for Southend in the National League, where he plundered 10 goals during the 2021/22 season, saw Wrexham swoop to sign him.
He was subsequently part of the squad built by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney that achieved historic back-to-back promotions.
At Dundee, Dalby became one of the two non-Old Firm players in the Scottish PFA team of the season.
At one stage, he even led the SPL scoring charts, leading Wrexham boss Parkinson to admit he considered recalling him in January.
Instead, Wrexham spent £2million to sign Sam Smith from Reading, while ex-Burnley star Jay Rodriguez was also recruited.
The 6ft 3in striker was a revelation in ScotlandGettyParkinson revealed last month: “I had a good chat with Sam the other day and I am pleased for him.
He added: “Obviously we spoke to him in January about extending his contract and we didn’t want to call him back.
“I know there were times where we weren’t scoring goals and it was discussed but I didn’t want to call him back because in my mind, we were trying to bring players in.
“I thought if I call him back and he doesn’t end up in the team, he is going to be very frustrated so we wanted to keep him there.
“But now with his performances for Dundee United, he has got himself in a strong position to earn a contract somewhere.
“I am sure there are going to be a lot of options for him out there.”
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