Batth departs in permanent move

Wolves can confirm that Danny Batth has moved to Stoke City for an undisclosed fee.

The transfer marks the end of the strong defender’s 18-year association with the club he joined as a 10-year-old, going on to make more than 200 senior appearances in gold and black.

During his time at Molineux, the popular 28-year-old, who has been on loan at Middlesbrough for the first half of this season, progressed through the Wolves Academy to become captain of the first-team.

Before being one of seven Academy graduates to sign professional terms at the end of the 2008/09 season, Batth overcome a bad shoulder injury to become a key figure for Wolves at youth level.

His first taste of senior football came in September 2009 during a loan spell at Colchester United, and on returning to Molineux he was named as ‘Young Professional of the Year’ at Wolves' End of Season dinner.

Impressive pre-season form ahead of the 2010/11 campaign saw Batth make his first senior start in a 4-0 friendly win at Walsall, followed up with his competitive debut in a League Cup Second Round tie with Southend in August 2010 – which Wolves won 2-1 after extra time.

After short loan spells with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, Batth returned to Wolves and despite 12 assured Championship performances he could not stop the side from slipping into League One.

However, it was in the third tier when Batth really laid down a marker as both a defender and leader of the team – being named by manager Kenny Jackett as vice-captain.

An ever-present in the Wolves team which secured a record-breaking promotion, the Brierley Hill-born defender was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year and comfortably stepped up into the Championship the following season, wearing the armband on a regular basis.

Always a threat from set pieces, Batth made more than 200 appearances for the club, scoring 16 times, and capped off his Wolves career by lifting the Championship trophy with Conor Coady last season.

Together with his dedication on the pitch, Batth has also shown commitment to making a difference to the lives of young people off it.

In 2017 he launched Foundation DB, a charity which supports three good causes; The YMCA Open Door, Help Refugees UK and YUWA – a school in rural India which uses football to keep girls out of child marriage and in education.

Everyone at Wolves would like to thank Danny for the unforgettable contribution he has made to the club during the past 18-years and wish him the very best of luck for his future career.