West Brom send Zac Ashworth out on loan to Bolton Wanderers, option to buy included
Zac Ashworth has joined Bolton Wanderers on a one-year loan deal from West Brom with an option to buy, the League One side confirmed on their official website.
Bolton announced that the 20-year-old has become the sixth new addition to the club this window after his successful loan with Burton Albion last season.
The full-back joined the Baggies’ youth set-up in 2012 and made his senior debut a decade later, which helped him earn international recognition with Wales’ Under-21 side.
Experience
The youngster already has bags of experience for someone his age, making 24 total senior appearances with West Brom and Burton while also claiming four Wales U-21 call-ups.
But the Championship can be tough for any full-back, let alone a 20-year-old so the drop to League One again will be welcomed by all parties.
However, Ashworth is only dropping to the league below him which suggests Carlos Corberan expects him to earn first-team football at the Hawthorns soon and was even involved with the Baggies’ behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly this summer.
However, Bolton have the option to buy Ashworth during the loan spell, so if he performs well he may end up saying goodbye to West Brom after 12 years.
Ashworth impressed at Burton and helped them avoid relegation after a strong second half to the season saw them finish in 15th place and even scored a screamer on his Brewers debut.
Speaking to the Bolton website, Ashworth’s new boss Ian Evatt said: “He is a quality, young player who has played in the Championship and last season gained valuable experience in League One as an important part of Burton’s team.
“He is here initially on loan but that could become permanent which would keep him with us long-term and give us another talented young player I’m looking forward to working with.”
Bolton should be excited by the Welshman, but Baggies fans may be upset if he departs the club permanently.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies have reportedly allowed a former England international midfielder to depart the club after a tough time at the club.