League One side Rotherham United have confirmed the signing of Tolaji Bola for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old left-back moves to the New York Stadium having spent last season on loan with Rochdale where he made 12 appearances.
On the books at Arsenal since 2008, the England youth international didn’t get a chance to feature for the Gunners’ first team.
Reflecting on his move in an interview with Rotherham’s website, he said: “A couple of weeks back I heard that there was some interest from Rotherham and as soon as I heard I was really excited and wanted to be here.
“I spoke to the gaffer prior to joining and he seemed like a really good person, that certainly drew me to the club and encouraged me to sign.
“I wanted to go somewhere I feel like I can become a better player and help the team. This is definitely one of them places.
“I’m hard-working, always leave everything on the pitch. I like to get forward on the overlap and make a tackle.
“I’d say my preferred position is left-back, but I’m happy to a job anywhere for the team.”
Best of luck to Tolaji in his new surroundings.
Good luck lad.
Never quite had enough for Arsenal, but there are plenty of good careers forged outside the top flight.
I hope he go on to have a decent career. Good luck Tolaji!
It just goes to show how difficult it is for a manager to identify which players to help promote and which ones to let go. I watched Bola a couple of times wherever I had a chance to come to England and was always impressed by him. I thought he had a good chance of making to the first team one day but what do I know? Good luck to him.
Played against him numerous times at school level, willock as well, tolaji was actually better at around 11/12 than willock was.
Likewise. I’d say he was a better player at 16 than Willock was too and I thought he acquitted himself well in the England youth setup.
At times in the last couple of years he has been invited to train with the first team. I really hoped he’d get at least one appearance in the Arsenal senior team but sadly it was not to be.
Good luck, Tolaji. I’ll be rooting for you.
David Seaman’s old neck of the woods.
Hopefully a couple of seasons at the Millers and he will help us cement us in the Championship
Geez! Leave to our incredibly negative section of the fan group to turn an innocent story about a young lad leaving the club for pastures new, in search of first-team football, into a pessimistic comment about the club in general!
The new season is starting tomorrow, let’s get the positive vibes flowing around here!
COYG!!