Three more years: David Wheater wins contract extension

Just two weeks ago, Bolton Wanderers opened talks with defender David Wheater about a contract extension in the wake of apparent Middlesbrough interest in the defender. David Wheater is now set to spend another three years at the Reebok Stadium, extending his current deal by a further two as he hopes to reinstate himself as Wanderers' first choice central defender.

Middlesbrough had since denied that rumored interest in the defender, with manager Tony Mowbray naming Wheater's "Premier League" salary as a primary reason for why they weren't chasing their former captain. Per a press release on Bolton's official website, David Wheater has signed a new three year deal, keeping him at the club until 2016. His original deal was set to run out at the end of this season.

Speaking to the club website, Wheater said:

"I'm very happy to have signed.

"I believe we have a real chance to move forward this season and the manager is certainly the right man for us. I also believe he can help get the best out of me as a player."

Following Gary Cahill's move to Chelsea, David Wheater found himself playing in most of Bolton's games, alongside a combination of Zat Knight and, later, Tim Ream. He missed the vast majority of the 2012/13 season having suffered a cruciate ligament injury at the tail end of the 2011/12 season after going down fairly innocuously in the match against West Bromwich Albion. In total, David Wheater has only made 45 appearances in all competitions for Bolton over the last two-and-a-half years.