Bolton bring in Smolarek on loan

Bolton have signed Poland striker Ebi Smolarek on a season-long loan from Spanish club Racing Santander.

The deal includes an option to buy the 27-year-old former Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord player if his loan spell goes well at the Reebok Stadium.

Smolarek grew up in Holland where his father Wlodzimierz, star of Poland's 1982 World Cup campaign, was coaching.

He is the only player to win the Polish player of the year award three times - winning it in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

A statement on the Spanish club's website read: "Racing and Bolton have reached an agreement for the loan of Ebi Smolarek to the British team until June 30, 2009.

"As well as that, the English outfit have an option to buy the Polish striker."

Smolarek was tipped to be one of the stars of Poland's European Championship debut in June, after scoring nine goals during their qualifying campaign.

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But he did not manage to make his mark on the tournament, and was dropped for the final group game against Croatia as Poland failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Despite this he has already equalled his father's record of 13 goals for his country in his 34 international appearances, a total Smolarek senior took 60 games to achieve.

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