Bolton "looking at" out-of-contract Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Moritz

When a manager takes a new job at a new club, one of the things that they will often do is buy or sign players from their former employer in an attempt to mold their now-current employer in their image. Following his arrival at Bolton Wanderers, Dougie Freedman brought a large part of his Crystal Palace staff along but left the players be. Sure, the Trotters have been linked with Palace players like Owen Garvan but none have come to fruition.

That may change soon with new reports linking Dougie Freedman's Bolton Wanderers with out-of-contract attacking midfielder Andre Moritz. Freedman himself confirmed that the 26-year-old Brazilian was on his shopping list, speaking to the Bolton News:

"It is something we are looking at. I've worked with him before and with it being a free transfer, if it was also an acceptable wage, then it might be something we can do."

While Moritz can play on the wings, he is first and foremost an attacking midfielder. He slots into the number 10 role, playing right behind the strikers. Andre Moritz is known to have an eye for the through ball and is an asset on set pieces. Against Wolverhampton Wanderers last season, Moritz scored twice from free kicks. The Brazilian would provide versatility for Bolton Wanderers, playing almost as a reverse Chris Eagles in that his main role in the center but can be a wide option when needed.

It was Freedman that signed Moritz for Crystal Palace in the summer of 2012 on a one-year deal. Moritz came up through the SC Internacional academy in Brazil before signing a professional contract with the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side. He scored five times in 17 appearances there. The midfielder then moved to Fluminense, scoring three goals in four appearances and helping the team win the 2007 Copa do Brasil. His playing time in Brazil was limited at best and with that, Moritz moved to Turkey.

Moritz spent the next five years between Kasimpasa, Kayserispor, and Mersin in the Turkish Super Lig, the country's top flight. He made more than 110 appearances between the three clubs, scoring 22 goals in the process.

In the summer of 2012, the midfielder signed with Dougie Freedman's Crystal Palace. Over the course of the 2012/13 season, Moritz made 32 appearances under Freedman and Ian Holloway, scoring five times. The midfielder has left Palace due to an inability by the club to guarantee him first team football in the Premier League.