Bolton captain Ricardo Santos says he did not want to go anywhere else and has set sights on reaching the Championship with Wanderers after agreeing a fresh deal with the club.
The Wanderers skipper has put pen to paper on a brand new three-year contract with the club, which will tie him to the University of Bolton Stadium until the summer of 2025. He has become an integral part of Ian Evatt's side.
Santos was installed as the club's captain last season following the departure of Antoni Sarcevic to Stockport County. He was crowned the club's players' player of the year at the end of season awards ceremony and has racked up a total of 91 appearances since joining the club in the summer of 2020.
The defender's contract had been due to expire in the summer of 2023 and with 12 months left to go before he would have became a free agent. His impressive performances on the pitch had caught the attentions of clubs in the division above in the Championship.
But his new deal essentially puts any speculation surrounding his future to bed as his new contract runs until the summer of 2025. Only team mates Dion Charles, Aaron Morley and summer signing Jack Iredale have deals running to the same date.
After putting pen to paper on fresh terms to commit his future to Wanderers, Santos says he was not interested in going anywhere else and is keen to reach the Championship next season. He wants to do that with Wanderers and he is excited for the upcoming campaign.
He said: “I feel like a new signing. It’s just exciting. I’m happy to get it all done and I can’t wait for next season.
"I’ve got a young family now and I always wanted to be here. I always told the gaffer I didn’t want to go anywhere else.
“The gaffer believes a lot in me, the club is going places and I want to go on that journey with the club.
“Last year was our first time trying in League One. I think it was a decent season and next season we want to get promoted.
“The Championship is the aim. I want to be there as a player for my career and I want to do it with Bolton.
“The gaffer has got a good team here. He’s got the people he wants. It looks exciting and I can’t wait for next season.”
