Super Eagles legend Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha revealed that he did not do his research about Bolton Wanderers before agreeing to join the English Premier League club during his session with the Obi One Podcast.
“To be honest, I didn’t do my research. When I heard about Bolton, it’s just 10 minutes away from Manchester, so I was like, ‘It’s the same level’
When I was invited to negotiate, they picked me up at Manchester airport and drove me straight to the stadium. The stadium was beautiful. I had it all with the stadium, the hotel – interesting.
They didn’t take me to the training ground. They kept that away from me. After I signed and started training. I went to the training ground. The changing room was a cabin. The shower was for just three people. You have to queue.
I said to myself, ‘Oh, Jay-Jay, what are you doing here?'”
Jay-Jay Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a free transfer on June 18, 2002. He was 28 years old at the time.
He spent four seasons with Bolton, from 2002 to 2006, making 142 appearances and scoring 18 goals in all competitions. In the Premier League alone, he made 124 appearances, scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.
Okocha became one of Bolton’s most influential players. He helped the club reach the 2004 League Cup final, where Bolton lost 2–1 to Middlesbrough, and played a key role in helping the club establish itself in the Premier League.
He became a cult hero at Bolton and remains one of the most celebrated players in the club’s history.
