JLLOYD SAMUEL believes that Bolton Wanderers is the club to get his career back on track.

The defender will join Bolton Wanderers on July 1 when his contract with Aston Villa expires and he is looking forward to ending a frustrating end to his tenure at Villa Park where injuries restricted his appearances.

Speaking exclusively to bwfc.co.uk, he said: "Bolton Wanderers is a team that's going places and they have shown for a few years the ambition they have by finishing in the top-ten. They do a lot of things right with the players they have and it's a great opportunity to better my career.

"I was at Aston Villa for ten years and when you have been at a place for so long you become part of the furniture. I felt like I needed a change and I'm sure that by coming up to Bolton I will get myself playing again. Bolton is the club to get my career back on track."

Wanderers fought off competition from the likes of West Ham United, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic for the full-back who won seven England under 21 caps earlier in his career. He added that the attraction of playing in the UEFA Cup was a significant factor in his decision to come to the Reebok Stadium.

He added: "I've had a little taste of the UEFA Cup earlier in my career when I was younger and the fact that Bolton have qualified for Europe was a massive reason. Everybody wants to play in Europe and test themselves against the best."

Although Samuel has not given up hope of returning to the full international scene, after being an unused substitute for England in their game against Sweden in 2004, he primarily wants to firmly establish himself as a regular member of Sammy Lee's first team.

He concluded: "I just want to play for Bolton and whatever happens from there we shall wait and see."