Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of defender Luca Stephenson from Liverpool FC for an undisclosed fee, with the versatile full-back penning a four-year contract.

Stephenson joins Bolton ahead of the club’s return to the Championship after seven years away, becoming another addition to bolster the squad for the new campaign.

Capable of playing at both full-back and wing-back, the 22-year-old leaves Liverpool without making a senior competitive appearance, having spent the last two seasons gaining valuable first-team experience on loan at Dundee United F.C. in the Scottish Premiership.

Speaking after completing the move, Stephenson said regular first-team football was the key factor behind his decision to leave Anfield.

“It’s brilliant being a Liverpool player, and they’ve given me a lot and taught me a lot, but there’s nothing like playing men’s football,” he said.

“You can’t replicate that at Liverpool playing for the Under-21s. I found that I wasn’t going to get the chance to play for the first team every week and that’s why I decided to come here.”

Stephenson becomes Bolton’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of Akin Famewo, Ben Davies and David Watson as the club continues to strengthen ahead of life back in the second tier.