Manchester City defender Luke Mbete has joined League One outfit Bolton Wanderers on loan for the rest of the season.
The 19-year-old spent the first half of the 2022-23 campaign with Championship side Huddersfield Town, where he made only six league appearances.
The Citizens have ended Mbete's loan deal with the Terriers, and the centre-back will now seek to gain regular first-team football in the third tier with promotion hopefuls Bolton, who currently sit fifth in the table.
Speaking to the club's official website on Mbete's arrival, head coach Ian Evatt said: "We're light on central defenders and, in particular, left-footed central defenders. Luke ticks a lot of boxes we look for.
✍️ We are delighted to announce the signing of Luke Mbete on loan from @ManCity until the end of the season.
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) January 31, 2023
👊 Welcome to the club, Luke! ⚪️🔵#BWFC 🐘🏰
"He's a really talented young player, part of the England Under-21 setup, who's excellent with the ball, athletic enough to cope and defend one-on-one in large spaces. He's played for Manchester City, which probably speaks volumes for how highly they rate him.
"He went to Huddersfield earlier this season where he didn't perform to his full potential, but part of our transfer policy, really, is to look for players that have a point to prove.
"After having a loan that didn't really go to plan for him, he wants to come here and show everybody how good he is. We think what we do suits him and vice-versa, so we're looking forward to working with him."
Mbete made 20 Premier League 2 appearances for Man City's academy side last season and also featured three times for Pep Guardiola's senior team, including his professional debut in the EFL Cup against Wycombe Wanderers in September last year.
The England Under-21 international will now link up with fellow Man City loanee James Trafford at the University of Bolton Stadium, and the defender could make his Trotters debut when they play host to Cheltenham Town in League One on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
