Former England star, 39, makes emotional return to former club as he’s joined by another new player in SAME position

JOHN RUDDY has sealed an emotional return to Wolves. The ex-England star previously played for the club between 2017 and 2022, while he also starred for Norwich for seven years between 2010 and 2017. Ex-England star John Ruddy has sealed an emotional return to Wolves Credit: Getty Ruddy signs in the same week the club have signed former Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia Credit: Getty But after four years, he has now returned to Molineux on a one-year deal, having spent the last two seasons as a backup at Newcastle – and winning the League Cup in 2025 despite not playing. Ruddy, 39, has re-signed for Wolves at the same time they have also signed fellow goalkeeper Joao Virginia to bolster Cesar Peixoto’s goalkeeping ranks. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Executive chairman Nathan Shi said of the transfer: “In John, we feel like we’ve signed not only an experienced goalkeeper, but also someone who will be a strong personality off the pitch. “He has won the Championship with the club previously and the experiences he can share with the group will be invaluable. “It’s important for Cesar to have goalkeepers who push each other and drive standards, and John is the right character to fit back into the club seamlessly, having been such a big presence during his first spell, so we’re delighted to have him back.” The Championship side, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, allowed Daniel Bentley to join newly-promoted Coventry City. Wolves then moved quickly to land both one-cap Three Lions star Ruddy and Virginia, who has signed a three-year deal with the club. The latter came through the youth ranks at Arsenal before signing for Everton and eventually making his Toffees debut as a sub for the injured Jordan Pickford in March 2021. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS It would turn out to be the Portugal shot-stopper’s only league appearance for the club, but he did continue to appear in cup competitions for Everton before leaving in 2025. On Virginia’s signing, Shi added: “Cesar rightly insisted this window that we must be patient and only sign players who improve our squad and are committed to the club, and Joao fits that description. “He is a homegrown player and knows English football well, so he should be a good fit for the squad and the club and will be well received by staff and his teammates. “We’re delighted to have him here.” Top football travel deals Comment now