U.S. midfielder Stuart Holden joined the Premier League club Bolton
on Tuesday until the end of the season.
The Scottish-born player's contract with the Houston Dynamo
has expired following four seasons in Major League Soccer. He is
joining Bolton on a free transfer after an impressive trial earlier
this month.
The 24-year-old Holden is set to play at the World Cup in
South Africa in June. He has scored twice in 12 international
appearances.
"This was the hardest decision I've had to make in my career,
but at the end of the day I felt it was the right time to test
myself at the highest level," Holden said. "Having had a short
spell over here when I was younger, I knew all about the passion
for football in this country and that helped to draw me back."
"The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world
and I was really excited when this opportunity came up. Now I am
looking forward to getting involved and getting started."
Bolton is trying to avoid relegation and is currently among
the three teams that would be demoted.
"Stuart has been training with us and he has done well,"
Bolton manager Owen Coyle said. "He has a great energy and desire,
and he wants to show that he can play in the best league in the
world, so he is a young man with a point to prove."
