By Mark Heys
April 23 2007

Bolton Wanderers youngster Mark Ellis will join the club's professional ranks next year after agreeing on a new one year contract with the club. The 18-year old central defender joined the Wanderers two years ago from the Exeter City youth academy for a fee that could eventually be worth around the £600,000 mark to the Grecians.

Ellis has been a regular name on the Bolton reserves team sheet this year, but his chances have been few and far between in recent weeks due to the aquisition of veteran Spaniard Cesar Martin.

He is hoping that the new contract with Bolton will lead to more opportunities at reserve team level as well as perhaps gaining some first team experience out on loan with a Coca-Cola League club.

"Hopefully next season I will carry on playing for Bolton's reserves and go out on loan for a taste of first-team football. I haven't any regrets about leaving Exeter, I moved on to develop my career but they helped me get where I am now." said Ellis in regard to his future

Bolton take their youth programme very seriously indeed, Nicky Hunt, Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Vaz-Te and Joey O'Brien have all played extensively for the senior side after rising through the ranks whilst the likes of Jarostaw Fojut, Johann Smith and Blazej Augustyn where handed more opportunities to mix with the first teamers this season.