Former Irish International Stephen Ireland joins Bolton Wanderers

Former Manchester City star and Irish International Stephen Ireland has linked up Sky Bet Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a short-term deal.

Now 32, Ireland began his career with current First Division side Cobh Ramblers before the Corkonian made the move across the water to Premier League side Manchester City.

Whilst at the Citizens, he signed a professional contract at the club in 2005 before going on to play 176 times for the club in a successful five-year spell at Eastlands up until 2010 when he joined Aston Villa. 

After a three-year spell with the Villa Park outfit, which also saw the six time Irish international have a stint with then Championship side Newcastle United in the 2010/11 season, Ireland moved onto pastures new to link up with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

During his four-and-a-half-year stint in Stoke-on-Trent, the former Cobh Ramblers youth prodigy made 59 appearances for the Potters as his contract came to an end following the club’s relegation at the tail end of last season.

Speaking upon the completion of the deal, Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson expressed his delight having bolstered his ranks ahead of a critical juncture of the season for his side.

“Although he's got a bit to do in terms of match fitness, we've got a lot of games coming up and I'm sure he will make a positive contribution.”

The Trotters currently lie in 16^th place in the Sky Bet Championship table and they will resume their league campaign on Saturday the 20^th of October when they travel to face Richie Towell’s Rotherham United in the AESSEAL Stadium.