Okocha recalls Bolton’s careful pitch before his 2002 signing

Jay-Jay Okocha has recalled how Bolton Wanderers persuaded him to join in 2002 by showcasing their stadium and Manchester location while leaving out a key part of the club’s facilities. The former Nigeria captain had just become a free agent after his Paris Saint-Germain contract ended.

Okocha said Bolton’s closeness to Manchester influenced his decision. He had previously been to London and played at Old Trafford, so he assumed Bolton would offer a similar setting after being told it was only 10 to 15 minutes from Manchester. He acknowledged that he had not properly researched the town before agreeing to negotiations.

The club collected him from Manchester Airport and took him directly to the stadium. He was shown the ground and the hotel, both of which made a positive impression. Okocha said the training ground was not part of that initial visit, however, and he only saw it after completing the move and reporting for work.

The facilities came as a shock. The changing room was in a cabin, while the shower area could accommodate only three players at a time, meaning the squad had to wait in turns. Okocha said the experience left him wondering why he had made the move after seeing the contrast between the stadium presentation and the training base.

Despite the difficult introduction, the transfer became a major success for Bolton. Okocha rejected the possibility of joining Bayern Munich and spent four seasons with the English club, from 2002 to 2006. He quickly became a popular figure among the supporters.

Okocha made 144 appearances in all competitions during his time with Bolton and scored 18 goals. He discussed the move while appearing on The Obi One Podcast with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, explaining how manager Sam Allardyce helped convince him to exchange the glamour of Paris for a less prominent club in England.