Burnden Aces

Bolton Take Maltese Forward On Trial

• September 10, 2014 | By Chris Mann
• Short URL: http://b-ac.es/53d24

•  
• Hibernians, Joseph Mbong
• 

Bolton have handed a trial to Joseph Mbong, a 17-year-old Maltese forward who currently plays for Hibernians FC.

Mbong, who has represented Malta at under-17 level, recently broke into the first-team at Hibernians and has made three senior appearances to date - including one in the UEFA Europa League earlier this summer.

He impressed in the recent UEFA European Under-17 Championship, scoring in a 5-2 defeat to the Netherlands, and was on the scoresheet for the under-19 side last Wednesday, in a 5-0 victory over Katane Soccer Mascalucia.

Mbong has been invited to train with Bolton this week and, if he impresses during his time at Euxton, could potentially win himself a move to Macron Stadium in the January transfer window.

Speaking about his first day with Wanderers, the highly-rated forward admitted he found it difficult to adapt to the style of training but believes he has the ability to make a name for himself over the next few days.

"They have treated me professionally since I came here," Mbong told SL10.ng. "I enjoyed the first day of training since it's different from what I experience in Malta.

"The football I played yesterday (Monday) was much more rapid and there was a lot of contact. It was a hard day but I'll get used to it.

"I wasn't treated like a stranger by the players I met. They all asked my name, guided me through training and all that."

Italian side Catania are also credited with an interest in signing the youngster, while an unnamed Dutch side are also believed to be keeping tabs on his progress.

• 
• Burnden Aces

• 
• @BurndenAces