BOLTON Wanderers have signed striker Michael Ricketts from Walsall.

The 6ft 3ins Birmingham-born striker signed for the Wanderers today from Walsall. Both clubs, after extensive negotiations, have reached an agreement over the fee without having to resort to a tribunal.

Ricketts scored 11 goals last season for Walsall, his first as a regular first team player.

Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce said: "Michael has signed a four-year deal with us, I am delighted he is here with us at Bolton. He is a player of enormous potential, strong, very quick, he's a buy for the future who will give me added options up front."

They have also agreed terms for the transfer of Greg Strong to Motherwell for a fee of £150,000. Central defender Strong, aged 24 years, who has had a loan spell last season at Motherwell, has agreed personal terms, signing a two-year deal.