Former Lincoln City striker Dan Nlundulu has reflected on his deadline day move from Bolton Wanderers to St Mirren, admitting his time in League One had “run its course.”
The 26-year-old spent two-and-a-half years with Bolton, first joining on loan from Cheltenham Town in January 2023 before making the switch permanent that summer.
After slipping down the pecking order and spending last season on loan at Cambridge United, he was told he could leave the Toughsheet Community Stadium in the summer.
Nlundulu joined St Mirren in the final hours of the transfer window and has since been regaining match fitness, scoring his first goal for the Buddies in a 3–1 defeat at Dundee United. Speaking to the Daily Record, he said the move north represented a clean slate after a difficult spell in England.
“It’s taken a bit of time due to fitness and things like that. I’ve enjoyed it. It’s started well. At Bolton, it was quite a difficult situation. My journey was over there,”
“When St Mirren came in on deadline day, I just wanted to do it as quick as possible. The gaffer called me and we got on like a house on fire. Then it was a no-brainer.”
The former Imp said his early experiences in Scotland have reignited his passion for the game.
“You can tell straight away how he is — his enthusiasm, his energy, his personality — which I’m a bit like as well. That’s why we’ve got on so well. I feel like this is a good league to get my name out there, and it’s like a restart for me.
Nlundulu’s goal at Tannadice was his first in St Mirren colours, and the hope in Paisley is that it marks the start of a productive new chapter north of the border.
Nlundulu had just signed a new deal with Southampton before joining us on loan for the 2021–22 season. He had a tough act to follow, with Brennan Johnson departing. He wasn’t a like-for-like replacement, but he was the player who bore the burden. A collapsed move for Morgan Whittaker meant Nlundulu was our big hope, and those hopes faded fast.
He made his debut away at Bolton Wanderers in August, but was forced onto the sidelines after an EFL Trophy game against Manchester United Under-21s. He returned and opened his account against Wigan Athletic in October, but that was about his lot.
He never looked settled, he never looked effective and despite previously having 12 Premier League appearances, he never looked to have the quality.
His spell at the Bank ended in January 2022 when Southampton recalled him.
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