The Danish youth international has been the regular number one of Wolves under-23s for the past two seasons, but this year, the 19-year-old has also been given the responsibility of being Nuno Espirito Santo’s number three goalkeeper, and a consistent position in first-team training.
This has given Sondergaard the chance to develop his skills under the tutelage of senior stoppers John Ruddy and Rui Patricio, something he is taking in his stride as he aims to learn from the best and take his place as Wolves’ goalkeeper of the future.
On learning from Ruddy and Patricio
“I’m really enjoying it and I’m really pleased to have the opportunity to be around the first-team. It’s been a dream because you want to train with the best and at the best level that you can as a young player, so to be training every day with the first-team is really good for me and my development.
“I’m really pleased to have these opportunities to train with John and Rui. They are really quality and experienced keepers and they have been really good with me. They really look after me and teach me every day.
“They are great to learn from and if there is anything that I’m not sure of what to do and I’m in a situation I’ve never been in before, then I can just ask them and they will provide me with some input and advice, which has really helped me.”
On warm weather training with the first-team in Marbella
“It was a really good experience and was great to get away with the first-team for a few days because it gives you a chance to get a bit closer to them and hang out with them in a social situation rather than it just being your job.
“Although we were training, we also spent a lot of time doing team bonding activities, especially on the last day when we went paintballing – players against staff – which was great fun and we won 2-1, so that made it even better.
“But I was just glad to be given that opportunity to get out with the first-team and I think the whole week out in Marbella was really important for my development at the club as I really feel like part of the squad now.”
On aiming for first-team appearances
“The next step for me is to obviously try and get as much first-team experience as I can to help me get to the next level, I think that is the next part of my development. But you never know what’s going to happen in football.
“The club know what the best path for me to take is; they will decide if the time is right for me to go out on loan, or maybe staying here and playing first-team minutes might be what they think is right to further my development.
“I’m still only young. Sometimes I forget that I’m only 19 and I’ve still got a long career ahead of me. Focusing on the future is probably not what’s best, my focus should on this season, the under-23s, and putting in good performances. If I do well, then we will see what happens.”
