Bolton Wanderers have acted decisively to address their rapidly shifting goalkeeping landscape, announcing the signing of Jack Bonham from Stoke City on an 18-month deal. The 32-year-old shot-stopper, well-acquainted with manager Steven Schumacher from their time together at the Bet365 Stadium, arrives at a moment of high drama and even higher stakes for the League One side.
Bonham’s move, confirmed on January 14, 2026, comes in the wake of a whirlwind week that saw both of Schumacher’s previous number one choices depart in quick succession. Teddy Sharman-Lowe, who had been on loan from Chelsea, was recalled by his parent club just 24 hours after starting in the Vertu Trophy defeat to Port Vale on January 13. Meanwhile, Tyler Miller, who had stepped in for the last three league matches, is returning to the United States with his family. The sudden exits left Wanderers scrambling for reinforcements ahead of a crunch local derby against Wigan Athletic, scheduled for Saturday, January 17.
It’s not just Bonham’s arrival that has fans talking. Bolton are also expected to complete the signing of Fleetwood Town’s David Harrington, a 25-year-old goalkeeper with international experience for both the Republic of Ireland and Wales. Harrington’s story is remarkable in its own right—having switched his international allegiance in 2024 to represent Wales, he was called up for Nations League fixtures against Turkey and Iceland that November. Despite being restricted to eight cup appearances this season for Fleetwood due to shoulder injuries, including one sustained in a serious car accident, Harrington remains highly rated and on the international radar.
For Bonham, the move to Bolton represents both a reunion and a fresh challenge. Having made 65 appearances for Stoke City over five seasons, and boasting a career total of 284 games across spells at Watford, Brentford, and Gillingham, he is no stranger to the demands of English football. Bonham’s familiarity with Schumacher played a significant role in his decision to join the Whites. “We’ve worked together before. He [Schumacher] knows what I’m capable of. He knows I can play at this level and above and it was a no-brainer for me when this came up,” Bonham told the club’s website.
The timing of Bonham’s arrival is no accident. Stoke City’s recent acquisition of Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu on loan opened the door for his exit. Bonham, who had made two Carabao Cup appearances for Stoke this season, was out of contract in the summer and reportedly had interest from a Championship club before opting for Bolton. Stoke’s sporting director Jon Walters lauded Bonham’s professionalism, stating, “Jack leaves with our gratitude for his contributions on and off the pitch during the past four-and-a-half years, and our very best wishes for his future career.”
Bolton’s need for stability between the posts could hardly be more urgent. The club sits sixth in League One but has endured a rocky patch, with three defeats and two draws in their last six league outings. The Vertu Trophy loss to Port Vale only added to the pressure on Schumacher, who has been forced to reshape his squad on the fly. The departures of Sharman-Lowe and Miller, both of whom struggled to cement their status as first-choice keepers, left a void that Bonham is now tasked with filling—potentially as soon as Saturday’s showdown with Wigan.
The goalkeeper merry-go-round hasn’t gone unnoticed among supporters, who have voiced their concerns about the club’s defensive frailties and the importance of the upcoming derby. At least one new keeper was always on Bolton’s January shopping list, a fact that influenced both Sharman-Lowe and Miller’s decisions to move on. Sharman-Lowe’s recall by Chelsea, confirmed in a Wednesday afternoon statement, also frees up a valuable loan slot that Wanderers hope to utilize before the transfer window slams shut.
Bonham’s journey to Bolton is emblematic of the volatility that often characterizes the lives of professional goalkeepers. Since joining Stoke from Gillingham as a free agent in the summer of 2021, he has worked under five different managers and seen a parade of fellow keepers come and go. Injuries to teammates, loan recalls, and new signings have all shaped his path. Reflecting on his decision to join Bolton, Bonham said, “I needed to get out and play and obviously things were evolving at Stoke and the opportunity arose here. It was one that I jumped at. A club this size and an opportunity to play again was something I couldn’t turn down. Seeing the last few years where they’ve been and where they could be, I wanted to come and be part of that and hopefully be part of the journey of getting them back towards the Premier League.”
As for Harrington, his imminent arrival signals Bolton’s intent to invest in both experience and potential. Picked up from League of Ireland side Cork City by Fleetwood in 2023, Harrington has had to overcome significant adversity, including long spells on the sidelines due to shoulder injuries. Nevertheless, his promise as a goalkeeper has kept him in the international conversation, and his versatility—having switched national teams—adds a unique dimension to the Wanderers’ goalkeeping corps.
Sharman-Lowe’s brief but eventful stint at Bolton began with high hopes after a standout loan spell at Doncaster Rovers, where he helped the club earn promotion from League Two. However, his performances for the Whites were inconsistent, and he was dropped on New Year’s Day after a return to Doncaster. That decision set the wheels in motion for his recall by Chelsea, with the club granting permission for him to play in the Vertu Trophy on January 13 to ensure cover while new signings were finalized.
As the dust settles on a hectic week at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, all eyes turn to Saturday’s derby against Wigan Athletic. Will Bonham be thrown straight into the fray? Can Schumacher’s reshaped squad halt their slide and reignite their push for promotion? With the transfer window still open and more moves likely on the horizon, the only certainty is that Bolton’s goalkeeping saga is far from over.
For now, Wanderers fans can take solace in the swift action taken by the club’s hierarchy and the arrival of a proven, battle-hardened keeper in Jack Bonham. The next chapter begins this weekend, with everything still to play for in League One’s fiercely contested race for the Championship.
