Bolton Wanderers are reportedly making moves to sign 22-year-old winger Sylvester Jasper following his departure from Portuguese side Portimonense.
According to Football Insider, both Bolton and Championship side Blackburn Rovers have expressed interest in securing Jasper’s services on a free transfer. While their Lancashire rivals are riding high in the Championship, Ian Evatt’s side are still expected to compete for his services.
Jasper, a former Fulham player, became a free agent after mutually terminating his contract with Portimonense just before the transfer window closed last month. Jasper had moved to the Portuguese club in 2022 after loan spells at Hibernian and Bristol Rovers, though neither stint proved successful.
Bolton, currently struggling in League One, see Jasper as a potential addition to their attacking options. After back-to-back defeats to Charlton Athletic and Exeter City, the Trotters have dropped to 18th in the table, and their attacking depth has been tested further with the absence of forward Victor Adeboyejo. Adeboyejo, sidelined after an unusual injury sustained from a “hefty sneeze”, is also the subject of transfer interest from Turkish club Göztepe.
Jasper’s free-agent status means he is not restricted by the closed transfer window, allowing Bolton the flexibility to move swiftly to sign him. Eredivisie side NAC Breda is also monitoring his situation, potentially adding competition for the winger’s signature.
Who is Sylvester Jasper?
Sylvester Jasper is a Bulgarian-English professional footballer known for his versatility as a winger. Jasper began his youth career at Queens Park Rangers before moving to Fulham’s academy in 2012. Over nearly a decade in Fulham’s youth system, he honed his skills and emerged as a promising talent, making his first-team debut for the club in January 2020 during an FA Cup match against Manchester City.
Jasper struggled for regular first-team football at Fulham and was sent on loan to Colchester United in League Two for the 2021-2022 season, where he made a notable impact. The following year, he was loaned to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership and Bristol Rovers, though his performances were inconsistent.
In the summer of 2022, Jasper made a permanent move to Portuguese club Portimonense on a free transfer. Despite high expectations, his time in Portugal was cut short, and by August 2023, he mutually agreed to terminate his contract, leaving him as a free agent.
Jasper is eligible to represent Bulgaria internationally, thanks to his mother’s heritage. After featuring in the England youth setup, he made his senior debut for Bulgaria in June 2022.
Writer’s View
Sylvester Jasper could be a very smart signing for Bolton Wanderers, especially given the club’s current needs in attack. Jasper’s versatility as a winger, able to play on both flanks, would add much-needed depth to a Bolton side struggling to create chances and score goals. His pace, dribbling, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one could inject some creativity into the squad, something lacking of late, particularly in the last few matches where the attack has looked blunt.
What stands out about Jasper is his experience despite his young age. Having come through the Fulham academy and had loan spells in various leagues, he’s been exposed to different styles of football. This experience could help him adjust to the physicality and pace of League One. Although his stints at Hibernian and Bristol Rovers did not particularly stand out, at 22, he still had room for development, and Bolton could be the perfect place for him to rediscover his form.
From a strategic point of view, Jasper’s potential signing comes at a crucial time. With Bolton struggling at the lower end of the League One table and injuries mounting, particularly to key forward Victor Adeboyejo, Jasper’s arrival could help turn things around. If he can quickly adapt and take advantage of regular playing time, he could provide that attacking spark Bolton needs to climb the table.
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