Benik Afobe Joins Bolton Wanderers on Season-Long Loan

Confirming reports which had been growing for the better part of a week, Arsenal striker Benik Afobe tweeted Friday that he will be joining Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan.

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"I can now confirm I have joined Bolton Wanderers on loan for the season. Very grateful to be given this opportunity and will give my...All for the club in every game and training session. The aim is for me to get first team experience week in week out and mature as...A player. Thank you to everyone for the positive messages. Love all my followers. #AFC #BWFC."

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It took Afobe three tweets to disseminate his message, but the point was clear. At just 19 years of age, games are of the utmost importance as he looks to continue his development.

As we've seen with the likes of Jack Wilshere and Ryo Miyaichi, who also joined Bolton on loan in seasons past, he will certainly get his fill of playing time in the north of England.

Bolton's official site had reported the deal's completion two hours before Afobe's announcement. The report also appears on Arsenal's official site.

Owen Coyle's side were relegated at the end of last season, meaning that Afobe will again play for a Championship side after joining up with Reading FC toward the end of 2011-12. He made three appearances for The Royals, who eventually secured promotion to the Premier League.

Bolstered by his inclusion in that feat, the striker has enjoyed a terrific run of form so far this summer, scoring two goals in just three matches for England at the U-19 European Championships. His productivity helped lead the Three Lions to the semifinals, where they lost to Greece in extra time.

Joining up with Arsenal just days after the competition ended on July 12, Afobe was one of two strikers brought along for the Asia Tour (Marouane Chamakh was the other).

He appeared in all three of the Gunners' games—against Malaysian XI, Manchester City and Kitchee FC—in a substitute's role.