Bolton banking on Nakata
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Article summary
Bolton Wanderers FC have signed Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata on a 12-month loan from ACF Fiorentina.
Article body
Scudetto winner
The 28-year-old had been in Italian football for seven years, scoring 24 goals in 182 top-flight games. Nakata first signed for AC Perugia before moving to AS Roma, where he won the Serie A title in 2000/01, Parma FC, Bologna FC and Fiorentina.
World Cup ambition
"I am very pleased to be beginning a new experience in the Premier League," Nakata said, after passing a medical with the English Premiership club. Japan have qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the player is expected to play a major part in the finals. "I am looking forward to a season that will be very important for the team and for myself," he added.
European start
Bolton will play European football for the first time when they enter the UEFA Cup in September's two-legged first round after finishing sixth in the Premiership. They began their 2005/06 campaign with a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa FC last Saturday and are next in action at home against Everton FC on Sunday.
