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Bolton Wanderers have opted to loan out defender Lewis Temple to Oldham Athletic for the upcoming season. The Trotters recruited the Irishman back in January from Shelbourne following the Dublin side’s third-place finish in the League of Ireland 2025 campaign, ending seven points behind champions Shamrock Rovers. League Two Exit Confirmed Despite having some involvement in their pre-season preparations ahead of their return to the Championship, it has been decided that Temple will instead spend the next term away from Steven Schumacher’s side, and will now join League Two outfit Oldham Athletic. Having failed to play a single time in their playoff-winning campaign in League One, the 21-year-old is now set to be handed his English league debut at Boundary Park under Micky Mellon. Speaking to the Latics’ official club media upon his switch to the fourth-tier side, Temple said: “The loan is something that we’ve been speaking about for the last few weeks and I’m delighted to be here. “As soon as I heard about the opportunity to join Oldham, it was one I wanted to take. It’s a massive club with great supporters and I can’t wait to get started. “I’ve spoken with the manager about what he expects from me and that really excited me. I want to keep improving, play as many games as I can and help the team have a successful season. I’ll give everything every time I put the shirt on.” Oldham have been active in the market during the final days leading up to their opening bow against Stoke City, also signing Harrogate Town‘s Tom Hill and Kai Payne from Wigan Athletic for a third temporary stint at the club. They have also been keen on recruiting a new full-back in order to provide additional depth, having also targeted Huddersfield Town’s Jay Sway, who is also of interest to their arch-rivals in Rochdale. Temple Deserves Shot Having not been able to break into the Bolton Wanderers team last season and with little chance to do so as they head into the Championship, a loan spell for Lewis Temple is the best course of action. Heading to a local club to the Trotters in Oldham Athletic will not be as harsh an environment change for someone who is yet to play in the EFL, and resolves a demand for a new option in the wide areas of defence amid interest in Jay Sway. Temple should come in and compete for regular action under Micky Mellon, and with just Jamie Robson to challenge him for minutes, rotation will dictate that he gets a fair shot to prove himself at this level. While he may not be in the Bolton picture for some time, this is a highly beneficial move for all parties, and one which allows Temple to try and prove himself at a club with high ambitions to gain promotion this season.