 The move to the Scottish club was cancelled as he wanted to sign on a permanent basis and the Glasgow club wanted him on loan and he later joined Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season, with an option to make the deal permanent for £1.5 million.After only three Premier League matches, the club decided against the permanent move and Espartero returned to Metz for the 2002–03 season, now at Ligue 2.Espartero played all the 90 minutes from the first 13 league matches, as well as the full match, including the extra time, in a Coupe de la Ligue game.