Wanderers B team graduate Chris Forino will link up with League One rivals Bolton Wanderers when his contract expires this summer, the Trotters have confirmed. The Saint-Lucian defender has opted to reject a new deal at Wycombe to become Bolton’s first signing of the window so far.
Having joined on a free transfer from Loughborough University in April 2021, Forino established himself in the Wanderer’s first team after scoring on his debut in an FA Cup match against Hartlepool United. Impressing on multiple outings in the league with his pace, strength, and aerial ability, by 2022 Forino was one of the first names on the team sheet.
The 24-year-old will depart Wycombe having made 90 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring on eight occasions and chipping in with a single assist. His time with the Chairboys was hampered by injury problems, but the Saint-Lucian was always a commanding presence in the heart of the Wycombe defense when he played.
After Gareth Ainsworth departed Wanderers for QPR in February 2023, it was rumored that Forino would be joining him at the London-based outfit last summer. These rumors never came to fruition though, as Matt Bloomfield fought tooth and nail to keep Chris at the club.
A strong ending to the 2023/24 which saw the defender put in some imperious and mature performances had Forino on a lot of the club’s summer shopping lists, with Bolton being the ones to secure his signature.
Forino becomes Bolton’s first signing of the summer transfer window, with the Trotters gunning for a return to the Championship after missing out at Wembley in May under manager Ian Evatt. Matt Bloomfield has already made his move to replace Forino, bringing Alex Hartridge across from Exeter City.
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It’s a disappointing loss for Wycombe, as towards the end of last season Forino was imperious in a very solid Wanderers defence. Having watched Forino grow from a B team player into a top center-back at League One level, makes this one hurt that little bit more for Chairboys fans. Losing a top player on a free is always pretty devastating, we saw that with Lewis Wing last summer and now again with Chris Foino this summer.
For Bolton, it’s an excellent piece of business. The 24-year-old has developed into a real powerhouse since he broke into the first team in early 2022, possessing great pace, strength, and aerial prowess. The Trotters felt Wembley’s heartbreak at the end of last season after they were outclassed by an excellent Oxford United side, adding Forino in alongside Ricardo Santos will certainly make Bolton’s defense a force to be reckoned with at this level, as they look to return to the Championship for the first time in five years.
Sadly, Forino did struggle with injuries during his time in Buckinghamshire, spending a fair portion of last season on the sidelines. However, when he’s fit Forino is comfortably one of the best defenders in the division.
As for Wycombe, Matt Bloomfield has already secured Alex Hartridge from Exeter who is a like-for-like replacement for the departed Forino. With Joe Low, Ryan Tafazolli, and Declan Skura all currently at the club, Wanderers still have four good options at center back. It wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see another one through the door though, as Tafazolli has suffered plenty of injuries over the last couple of seasons, limiting his game time.
