Bolton Captain George Johnston Among Departures After Promotion

The confetti has barely been swept from the Wembley turf, but Bolton Wanderers have already drawn a sharp line under one era as they step back into the Championship.

George Johnston, the club’s longest-serving current player and the man who wore the armband in Sunday’s League One play-off final win over Stockport, will leave this summer after five years at the University of Bolton Stadium.

The 27-year-old centre-back, who came through Liverpool’s academy before a spell at Feyenoord, leaves with 188 appearances to his name and a promotion medal in his pocket. He captained the side in the capital, helped deliver the club back to the second tier, and now walks away at the very moment the club climbs.

He is not alone.

Jordi Osei-Tutu, Bolton’s starting right-back at Wembley, is also heading for the exit. The 27-year-old, signed from German side Bochum in August 2024, made 80 appearances across his two-year stay. His time has been shorter, but he departs as part of the same decisive reshaping.

Midfielder Kyle Dempsey, an unused substitute in the play-off final, has been released as well. So too Carlos Mendes Gomes, who spent most of the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Exeter City. Both leave as Steven Schumacher trims and retools his squad for the demands of the Championship.

The clear-out does not end with permanent contracts. A sizeable loan contingent is also returning to parent clubs, leaving gaps all over the pitch. Johnny Kenny, Rob Apter, Ibrahim Cissoko, Marcus Forss, Corey Blackett-Taylor, Mason Burstow and Amario Cozier-Duberry have all completed their spells and moved back to their owners.

For Schumacher, the message is blunt: promotion has come at the cost of continuity. He will need numbers, and he will need them quickly.

One more departure underlines that theme. Szabi Schon has completed a permanent move to Hungarian champions ETO FC Gyor after two years with Wanderers. The 25-year-old Hungary midfielder, who made 44 appearances for Bolton, spent last season on loan at Gyor, who have now triggered their option to sign him outright.

Wembley brought the roar and the release Bolton craved. The days after have brought something else: the reality of the rebuild. Now comes the real question—how quickly can Schumacher turn this promotion squad into a Championship side that stays there?