Mikel Settles Down Into Wanderers Life

Alonso Settles In
By Mark Heys
August 7 2007

Bolton new boy Mikel Alonso may have only been at the Reebok Stadium a matter of weeks but by the way the he has settled into Wanderers life you would be forgiven for thinking that the Spaniard had been in South Lancashire for a number of seasons.

Alonso initially linked up with the Trotters during their training stint in Austria earlier on in the summer and Bolton manager Sammy Lee saw enough during that week to bring the 27-year old to the club on a season long loan deal from Real Sociedad.

It was a case of third time lucky for Alonso after he previously saw moves to England fall through or never materialise so the move to UEFA Cup hopefuls Bolton was a good option for talented midfielder to boost his career after suffering relegation with Sociedad last term.

"There have been a couple of opportunities to come to England to play before but nothing seriously. I never had a chance like this one. I heard from Bolton and I liked the option a lot so I decided to come." said the summer recruit to the Manchester Evening News 

The Basque-born star has wasted no time in getting adjusted to his new environment and he is already getting good vibes from his early days as a Wanderers player.

"I just want to be better and more complete as a player every day, I've only been here two weeks but already I have a good feeling about the club and the people. I knew last season Bolton finished seventh so they must be a good team. And playing in the UEFA Cup was a great attraction."

Settling into English life and the local area won't be too hard for Alonso as he has the support of his younger brother Xabi at Liverpool and is in regular contact with his sibling

"I have watched a lot of Premiership games and my brother told me all about it, It's good to have someone like him to help me settle in.  When I had three or four days off I would come to England to see him. Now it's going to be a lot easier."

Alonso will be in the Wanderers squad for this weekend's Premiership opener with Newcastle United at the Reebok Stadium after featuring in the last three friendly matches.