Bolton Wanderers landed a £650k cult hero - He was a Trotters hit despite slow start | OneFootball

Henrik Pedersen joined Bolton Wanderers in July 2001, and after a slow start, quickly became a fan favourite

Bolton Wanderers completed the signing of Danish forward Henrik Pedersen in July 2001 from Silkeborg IF, after fending off interest from Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart to obtain his signature.

In the 2000/2001 season, Bolton achieved promotion from the First Division via the play-offs under then-manager Sam Allardyce, and he was looking to strengthen his squad in preparation for the Premier League.

Allardyce did not have a plethora of money to work with at the time, so whatever signings he made had to pay off.

In came the likes of Bruno N'Gotty and Pedersen for fees, as well as numerous free transfers, as Bolton prepared for life back in the top flight.

Although N'Gotty would go on to become a regular fixture for Bolton for the next five years, having made an immediate impact following his move from French side Marseille, Pedersen's start to life in England didn't go as well as he would have hoped.

Henrik Pedersen struggled in his debut season for Bolton Wanderers

Pedersen's beginning to life in England following his move from his native Denmark didn't exactly go to plan.

Although he would score his first goal for Bolton in September 2001 in a League Cup match versus Walsall, the Dane's performances were largely not up to scratch.

A muscle strain would keep him out for at least 11 matches, and when he returned, he was battling for a starting berth with Dean Holdsworth, Michael Ricketts, Bo Hansen, Rod Wallace and Fredi Bobic, limiting him largely to appearances off the bench.

Struggling to get to grips with English football, Pedersen returned to Silkeborg for the final stages of the 2001/02 season to help to stave his boyhood club away from relegation.

Upon his return to the club the following season, the jury was out, and Pedersen's time to perform in the white of Bolton was now or never, and he grasped the opportunity with both hands.

Henrik Pedersen is fondly remembered by fans of Bolton Wanderers, as is his iconic goal celebration

In his first season back in England, Pedersen was thrust immediately back into the first team as if he had never left.

Although it would take him 14 games into the new campaign, and 25 into his Premier League career, Pedersen netted for the Trotters in a 4-2 away win at Leeds United, finally announcing himself in English football.

He'd finish the season with seven goals and one assist in 33 Premier League appearances, firmly cementing himself in Allardyce's plan.

The Dane would be a regular for the next few seasons thereafter, and although he would appear less in his final season at the club in 2006/07, his trademark Peacock celebration lives long in the memories of Wanderers fans.

In total, Pedersen made 171 appearances across all competitions for Bolton after a nightmare maiden campaign, scoring 29 goals and grabbing eight assists across his six-year stay at the club, even helping them to qualify for the UEFA Cup.