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Austin Jay Jay Okocha was unplayable during his days; he could command the ball, and it had no option but to respond to him.
The former Nigerian skipper spent four years at the Reebook stadium under the guidance of Englishman Sam Allardyce.
Big Sam had managed to convince the mercurial midfielder to join his side after being impressed by the Nigerian at the 2022 Summer World Cup in Korea and Japan.
Okocha teamed up with Kevin Davies, Youri Djorkaerf, Gary Speed, and legendary ex-Real Madrid defender Fernando Hierro.
During the four seasons Okocha spent at Bolton, he made 124 appearances in the league, notching 14 goals and 11 assists.
However, Jay Jay Okocha was well-known for his skills and trickery on the field of play, and he won the Player of the Month once in November 2003.
In this article, we look back at 3 unforgettable moments when Jay Jay Okocha came up with the magic when playing for Bolton.
3. Ray Parlour left in limbo
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour will want to forget his meeting with Okocha in a hurry. He might even have nightmares remembering how the Nigerian playmaker left him for dead during a Premier League clash.
During the 2002/03 season, Bolton were battling to avoid the drop when they met Arsenal at the Reebok stadium.
Bolton came back from two goals down, and with less than five minutes remaining, Okocha had the ball at the corner flag - marking him Englishman Ray Parlour.
Most footballers would have kept the ball at the corner flag trying to run down the time, but not Okocha. He lobbed the ball over Parlour via a deft rainbow flick, leaving Parlour stunned as he watched on.
2. Sublime freekicks against Aston Villa
Okocha had a knack for scoring from deadball situations especially freekicks and when the opportunity presented it, he grabbed it with both hands.
Bolton were up against Aston Villa in the League Cup semi-final first-leg in 2004. Okocha scored two stunning freekicks in the game - a parting gift before he left for the African Cup of Nations, where he also scored a beautiful freekick against Camerron in the Quarterfinals.
A mesmerised Sam Allardyce said Okocha’s second was one of the best he had ever seen.
He said, "I have been associated with this club for 17 years and I haven't seen anyone better than him here.
"Jay-Jay's second has to be the goal of the season.
"He bent it from that angle around the outside of the wall with his right foot into the top corner of the net.
"Thomas Sorensen barely moved, it moved that quick. Jay-Jay's talent is unquestionable and he has done us a magnificent job."
1. Bolton relegation survival and UEFA CUp qualification
On the last day of the season in May 2003, Bolton were on the brink and only victory against an in-form Middlesbrough could guarantee their Premier League safety.
Okocha’s freekick from the edge of the box put Bolton two goals up, but the Reebok side endured a late scare when their ex-player Michael Ricketts pulled one back for Boro.
However, Bolton were able to hang on and survive for a third season in a row.
The Nigerian midfielder’s contribution to his side was topnotch as usual, which saw him being handed the captain’s handband after only 12 months at the club.
Okocha guided Bolton to their highest-ever position in the League (8) in 2004, and they booked qualification for the UEFA Cup (now Europa League).
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