RICARDO Santos said he had turned down “other options” to sign a new three-year contract with Wanderers this summer.
The club captain ended months of speculation over his future by signing a long-term contract at the University of Bolton Stadium, and now has plans to lead the club to the Championship.
But speaking to The Bolton News, he confirmed there were other offers on the table this summer to try to steer him away from the North West.
“I was over the moon to do it,” he said. “Me and the gaffer had a brief conversation during the season and at the time we were focusing on promotion so I told him I didn’t really want to focus on me, I wanted to focus on the team and being promoted.
“But once the season was over, to be honest with you, it happened within a week. We just sat down and then I was on vacation. My agent went to talk to him (Evatt) and called me and told me: “It’s all done” and when I came back, I signed.
“It happened very quickly to be fair. I had other options there, but they weren’t for me. It’s the place for me, and the gaffer is the right manager for me, the club is the right club for me, I just want to continue with the club.
Santos has moved his family to Bolton and believes the stability offered by the three-year contract will make it easier for him to focus on his progress on the pitch.
“The main part was for my family,” he said. “Moving from Peterborough to London I just wanted to find a home and I found it and I’m happy to be here for a few more years.
“Every day me and the gaffer talk and he gives me a lot of encouragement and just shows a lot of confidence in me and I just want to pay him back and do well for the club.”
“And it’s a decent contract to be fair. I’m happy with it and if I could have signed more, I would have!
Santos believes the team enjoyed a week together in Portugal, and none more so than new signing Jack Iredale.
The Aussie was the only new face in the camp – but wasted no time getting in with his new teammates.
“He came out of his shell very quickly but I think that’s what happens when you go overseas,” Santos said. “You have to come out of your shell and be around the boys, he already knows Geth (Jones). And we even watch Love Island together at 9 p.m.! He’s a good guy.
“It’s nice to have a different environment and other stuff with the food, you can go in the pool and recover. Just be here and be with the boys.
