Bolton Wanderers have made their first major signing of the summer transfer window after announcing a deal to sign Norwich City’s Marc Tierney for free.
Tierney, 27, will join the Trotters after the Canaries announced earlier this month the left back would be allowed to leave upon expiration of his contract on July 1.
Having missed out on the Championship play-offs last season on goal difference, Whites boss Dougie Freedman has moved quickly to strengthen his squad for next campaign’s promotion push.
“Bolton Wanderers can announce they have agreed a deal in principle with Marc Tierney to join the club,” a club spokesman said.
“The left-back will officially be registered as a Bolton player when his current contract at Norwich expires.
“Tierney will arrive at the Reebok Stadium with experience of playing first team football in all four of England’s top divisions, which includes playing a part in Norwich City’s Championship-winning team in the 2010/11 season.”
The Prestwich-born defender made only six appearances for the East Anglian club last season, playing only once in the Premier League in the 5-0 defeat to Fulham.
Tierney could be followed by fellow defender Alex Baptiste from Blackpool – also on a Bosman – after his Seasiders contract ended and is set to sign a three-year contract.
The defensive reinforcements come after Freedman earlier this month snapped up teenagers Conor Wilkinson and Hayden White from Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.
The former Norwich man will replace the departing Spanish left back Marcos Alonso, who has joined Fiorentina on a three-year deal, according to the Serie A club.
The 22-year-old, who joined the Trotters from Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2011, was out of contract at the Reebok this summer and notched up 46 appearances during his three-year spell at Wanderers, scoring five goals in the process.
Alonso was a key figure in the Whites’ recent Championship season, as they narrowly missed out on a play-off spot on a dramatic final day.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in April, Alonso’s father and agent, Marcos Alonso Peña, had revealed the Viola’s desire to sign the full back.
“Yes, Fiorentina are very, very close to Marcos,” he said. “We were in Florence for the first time in December, to speak with them.”
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