Ruben Rodrigues believes he is playing the most confident football of his career at Bolton Wanderers after signing a new contract with the club. The 30-year-old midfielder, who scored twice in the 2024 play-off final for Oxford United against Bolton, has cemented his spot as the starting number 10 and credits the manager's attacking style for his resurgence.

Rodrigues has seen the club exercise an option to extend his deal by 12 months on improved terms. He feels the free role he occupies on the left side at Bolton suits him far better than his previous duties at Oxford, where he felt he was tasked with too much defending. "I think the last couple of weeks have been the best version of me in my career so far," Rodrigues said.

His comments come as Bolton handle a difficult start to the Championship season, sitting 20th in the table with seven points from seven games. The team's recent form shows one win and four defeats in their last five outings, a run they will aim to improve upon when they travel to face 14th-placed Norwich this weekend.

Rodrigues returned to full fitness this pre-season after a forgettable spell in Brazil, scoring four goals in five friendly matches. He joined Bolton last season when the club was in third place in League One and pushing for promotion, drawn by the style of football being played. "I feel like for them, it's nice to have me and for me, it's nice to have Bolton as a club," he added. "I don't see myself leaving anytime."

The Portuguese midfielder, who lives in Salford with his partner, has praised the atmosphere generated by Bolton's supporters, describing a Championship-level environment even in the third tier. He highlighted the confidence within the squad, stating the players believe in each other's abilities on the pitch.

On the field, Rodrigues has been a bright spot in a challenging period, scoring a penalty in the recent 3-2 defeat to West Ham. The team's last result was a 1-0 home victory over Cardiff City, secured by a late Thierry Gale goal. Fans can check the latest player contributions and statistics on the club's stats portal.

With his future secured and his personal confidence at a peak, Rodrigues is focused on helping Bolton climb the Championship table. The team's next test is an away trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City on Sunday.

The original report is at The Bolton News