John Ruddy feels his return to Wolves is an opportunity he couldn’t turn down after signing in at Molineux following a four-year absence.
The experienced goalkeeper is relishing the chance to reunite with familiar faces and use his Championship-winning experience to help the squad in their promotion push.
Ruddy, who lifted the Championship title with Wolves in 2017/18 during a season which also saw him claim the division’s Golden Glove, is eager to get going once again for the Old Gold and make a positive impact both on and off the pitch.
On rejoining Wolves
“I’m delighted. It’s been a bit of a long-winded summer for myself and I had a bit of extra time off than I would have liked, but as soon as it became apparent that there was an opportunity to come back here, it was something that I just couldn’t turn down.
“It’s been brilliant to see friendly faces, and coming back here and seeing the place as it is now – not too much has changed in the four years since I’ve been gone, but it’s just a great opportunity for me to be here.
“I’m really excited to get going and looking forward to what the season can bring.”
On what he wants to bring to the club
“They’ve told me what they expect from me and I’m more than happy to be here and play whatever role I need to, whether that's on the pitch or off the pitch or in and around the group.
“I know I’m not getting any younger, but I still feel like I’ve got a lot to offer. I still feel physically good and I still feel like I can contribute outside and within the group.
“I’m looking forward to getting going and looking forward to meeting everyone properly tomorrow.”
On his love for Wolves
“It was the biggest factor. There were a couple of things on the table earlier in the summer, but nothing that made me really get excited about it.
“As soon as it became apparent that there was an opportunity to come back here, it was something that I just couldn't turn down.
“With the affection I hold for the club since the day I’ve left, it’s never gone away and I’ve always enjoyed coming back, so to be back full-time is very satisfying.”
On having Championship winning experience
“I’ve been fortunate enough to get out of the Championship three times, winning the league with Wolves, play-offs with Norwich and finishing second with Norwich. I’ve got experience, but I’ve also got the experience of how tough it can be as well.
“Although we’ve got a really good, talented group of players, to understand the consistency needed and required in the Championship is something that hopefully I’ll be able to get across to everybody.
“The season has started really well, really positive, and once you continue that momentum, and you go game after game, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, winning becomes a real good habit to have and we're determined to maintain that.”
JOHN RUDDY SAVES! pic.twitter.com/NTzyH5cnQz
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 27, 2026
On aiming to replicate 2017/18
“It’s one of the best seasons I’ve had in football. From start to finish, it was amazing. A fantastic group of people, first and foremost, and then you couple in the exceptional talents we had as well. It made it through in a very enjoyable season, on and off the pitch, which is a big part of the reason why I hold the club so dear to my heart as well.
“I don't know how long I’ve got left as an active player. I’ve dragged it out for quite some time already, some people would say! But for me, it’s about coming in and having an impact in a positive way, which will ultimately aim to finish in promotion. That’s the goal from myself, from everyone else within the club.
“That has to be the goal, and that’s something we’re going to fight for and I’ll help in any way that’s needed.”
On getting the best out of the other goalkeepers
“We’ve got to. Obviously, with Jose [Sa] starting the season as he has in the last couple of games, he’s showing how good he is. He should be, and arguably is, the best goalkeeper in the Championship.
“For me to try and help him, bring that out of him on a consistent basis, is going to be something that I’m going to look forward to doing.
“The rest of the goalkeepers in the group will obviously galvanise each other as well and make sure the standards on a daily basis are staying high. We’re driving that not just in our group, but throughout the rest of the group as well.”
On reuniting with Trippier
“I got on really well with Tripps [at Newcastle]. He’s a hard guy not to get on with, great around the place, great character and an exceptional footballer.
“He’s massively intelligent, but understands what’s needed as well, works very hard for the team and is a very selfless player.
“He’s someone who I’ve been speaking to since the start of the summer and he’s settled in and he’s enjoyed his time here so far. Unfortunately, he’s injured at the moment, but he’s fighting to get fit and a fit Kieran Trippier is a massive asset.”
On aiming for promotion
“The Championship is unrelenting. There are a lot of good teams in it this year and it goes in cycles where it either seems quite simple to get out of it or it can be very difficult.
“I think we’re in a difficult season because of the level of teams that are in it now, but you’ve got the caveat of having the extra play-off places, which is an interesting logic that they’ve put in. I’m not a fan of it personally, but our aim is to be in the top two.
“It’s as simple as that. We know we’re good enough for that and we have to show it on a consistent basis. Anything less than that and we’d be disappointed with ourselves.”
