BURY boss David Flitcroft has called on young Bolton Wanderers defender Joe Riley to fill the problem position of right-back after signing him up on a permanent transfer.

The 23-year-old, who was due to become a free agent in the summer, has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

No fee was involved, but Flitcroft confirmed that a significant sell-on clause had been included in his contract.

His arrival plugs a gap in the Shakers defence after Flitcroft started the season without a specialist right-back.

“Every credit to Joe, he has shown his committment to take a drop in wages to join us and demonstrated his desire to play regular first-team football,” said the Bury boss.

“He represents the type of player we are looking to recruit for short, medium and long-term success.

“He loves to drive forward from full back and has a controlled aggression.

“He is both athletic and dynamic and will offer us both great quality and energy.”

Riley has good pedigree at League Two level, having put in a string of promising displays in 28 appearances on loan at Oxford United this season, notably at home to Bury in December.

The former Wanderers trainee had been earmarked for a bright future at the Macron after initially breaking into the first team under Owen Coyle, enjoying a stunning debut in the Premier League in a 5-0 win against Stoke in 2011.

But his first-team progress was stunted by injury, with Riley going on to make just nine appearances for Wanderers – three in the league, four in the FA Cup and two in the League Cup.

After putting his faith in one of Bolton’s best young players, the Bury boss was keen to stress his ongoing commitment to the club’s own production line.

He gave Under-18s striker Anthony Dudley his debut in Bury’s last match at Dagenham, and with Danny Nardiello recovering from a torn hamstring, the 17-year-old looks set to be named as a substitute for tomorrow’s visit of Wycombe Wanderers.

“It doesn’t worry me now putting Duds on,” he said.

“He has got the quality.”