Bolton Wanderers have been busy in the transfer market this summer, making significant moves to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2025/26 League One campaign. The club has secured the services of St Mirren centre-back Richard Taylor on a three-year deal, adding vital defensive steel to Steven Schumacher's squad. Alongside Taylor, Bolton have also signed prolific Felixstowe & Walton United forward Charlie Warren on an initial two-year contract, signaling their intent to bolster both defense and attack.
Richard Taylor, 24, stands at an imposing 6ft 2in and has been a key figure for St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership. Last season, he featured in 41 league games, scoring twice and helping keep five clean sheets. His performances caught the eye of several clubs, including Championship sides and League One rivals, but Bolton managed to beat the competition to his signature. The defender arrives on a free transfer, as St Mirren did not offer him a new contract, meaning Wanderers will not have to pay a compensation fee.
Taylor's journey to Bolton is a testament to his perseverance and development. The Hackney-born centre-back began his professional career at Burnley before moving to Southend United. He then experienced spells in non-league football with Dulwich Hamlet and Dagenham & Redbridge, followed by a stint in Ireland with Waterford. It was his move to St Mirren in January 2023 that truly elevated his profile, as he became a mainstay in their defense and played a key role in their qualification for the Europa Conference League.
Steven Schumacher, who took over as Bolton manager midway through last season, has been eager to reshape the squad in his image. After a challenging first half-season where the team conceded 70 goals and finished with a minus-three goal difference, bolstering the defense was a clear priority. Schumacher praised Taylor’s attributes, stating, "Richard is a defender with an excellent physical make-up – tall, strong and he will give us a significant presence in both penalty boxes. What also appealed to us is his comfort on the ball and his ability to start play from defensive areas. Being naturally left-sided, he gives us further choices across our back line. Richard has gained useful experience in the Scottish Premiership, playing many games and showing he can perform consistently at that level."
Taylor himself expressed enthusiasm about joining Bolton, saying, "Joining Bolton Wanderers is a massive opportunity for me and I'm absolutely buzzing to be here. You can feel the ambition around the place, and I want to be a big part of taking this historic club forward. I've heard all about the incredible support at the Toughsheet Community Stadium and the thought of playing in front of that crowd, helping to make it a real fortress for us, is something special. I'm a defender who will put my body on the line, and I'm ready to bring that commitment, that desire to be solid at the back and help us achieve our goals. I can't wait to pull on that white shirt and give everything for Bolton Wanderers."
In addition to Taylor, Bolton have secured the signing of Charlie Warren, a 24-year-old forward who scored an astonishing 34 goals for Felixstowe & Walton United in the eighth-tier Isthmian League North Division last season. Warren had previously spent time on trial with the club in February 2025, impressing enough to earn a permanent move. His goal-scoring prowess is expected to add a new dimension to Bolton's attacking options.
Bolton’s transfer activity doesn’t stop there. The club is also targeting a left-back, with Hull City's Matty Jacob reportedly on their radar. However, Jacob is attracting interest from abroad, notably Switzerland, which could complicate negotiations. On the goalkeeping front, Bolton had been linked with Crystal Palace’s Owen Goodman following his loan spell at AFC Wimbledon, but he is now set to join Huddersfield Town. Instead, Bolton are expected to bring in Teddy Sharman-Lowe on loan from Chelsea. The 22-year-old goalkeeper, currently on duty with England’s Under-21 squad, impressed last season while helping Doncaster Rovers secure promotion to League One.
Schumacher’s approach to recruitment has been proactive and ambitious. After inheriting a squad that missed the play-offs last season, his first full transfer window in charge is shaping up to be transformative. The addition of Taylor, Warren, Simons, and Dalby shows a clear strategy to blend youth, talent, and experience. Schumacher’s previous success in League One, having won the division with Plymouth Argyle, provides a strong foundation for his vision at Bolton.
Bolton Wanderers’ fans can look forward to a summer of rebuilding and renewed hope as the club aims to tighten its defense and enhance its attacking threat. With a squad being carefully assembled to match Schumacher’s style, the ambition to push for promotion is palpable. The signing of Richard Taylor, in particular, signals a commitment to addressing last season’s defensive frailties and building a backline capable of competing at the top end of the table.
As the transfer window continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Bolton to see how these new recruits integrate and whether they can help turn the tide for a club eager to reclaim its status. The arrival of Taylor and Warren marks a significant step forward, but with further reinforcements anticipated, the summer promises plenty of excitement for the Wanderers faithful.
