Allardyce eyes European adventure
Thursday, 18 August 2005 13:07Sam Allardyce expects new signing Hidetoshi Nakata to bring vital European experience to Bolton's UEFA Cup campaign.
Nakata, 28, has arrived at the Reebok Stadium on a 12-month deal from Fiorentina with hopes of building on the Trotters' successful previous season.
Although Nakata admits he knows little about Barclays Premiership football, his seven-years in Italian football gives Allardyce extra quality.
The Bolton boss said: "I think as always the first thing you look for in a player is quality. We want to get more experience and he has that in abundance. His experience for Japan and his European experience over the last few years is something we would like to see him put into our team.
"We're going to give him the opportunity to do that. A lot of players come to the Premiership and find it difficult, we feel we give a player from abroad the best chance to settle and enjoy training, and winning together."
Nakata, who has more than 60 caps for Japan, has had spells with Roma and Parma in Serie A and has played in England in the UEFA Cup.
