English football beckons for Gale

For the next four years, Barbados’ top footballer Thierry Gale will ply his trade in England.

Bolton Wanderers officially announced the signing of Gale from Rapid Vienna, marking a major coup in their summer transfer campaign. The 23‑year‑old forward has committed to a four‑year contract at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, with the fee undisclosed, and will don the No. 11 shirt.

Gale first made his mark as a teenage striker at St Leonard’s Boys’ School, guiding them to multiple youth titles before joining Pro Shottas United. In 2018, he earned his senior cap for Barbados aged just 15, and went on to score eight goals in 16 national appearances.

Gale’s European journey began in 2018 when he moved to Hungary to join Budapest Honvéd’s youth ranks. After making his senior debut in August 2020, he later transferred to Rapid Vienna in 2023 following a productive spell at Georgian club FC Dila Gori, where he netted 12 goals in 35 league games. His tenure in Austria included a loan to Poland’s Piast Gliwice earlier this year.

Bolton’s acquisition of Gale marks their sixth new signing this summer, following the additions of Sam Dalby, Xavier Simons, Charlie Warren, Richard Taylor, and Teddy Sharman‑Lowe.

Manager Steven Schumacher described the deal as a “thrilling addition”, confident that Gale’s pace, flair, and versatility will excite fans and bolster the side’s promotion push. He added that Bolton is “delighted to have him ahead of our upcoming trip abroad to help him settle into the group.”

Gale’s reaction to the move was equally jubilant. “I’m very happy to be here. Bolton are a huge club… I have always wanted to play in England, so it is a dream come true to be here,” he said, after arriving ahead of pre‑season training and Bolton’s pre‑campaign tour to Marbella.

Other sections of the media have reported a BDS$1.2 million transfer fee – a significant outlay that underscores both the club’s ambition and Gale’s rising stock in European football.

rohansonnwaithe@barbadostoday.bb