A main member of the Wolves’ 2017/18 Championship winning squad has earned a move back to the Premier League.

It has now been over six years since Nuno Espirito Santo guided Molineux back to the top flight in style.

Memories of the 2017/18 season are still some of the best among the Wolves faithful in a stunning campaign.

Now, six years onwards, many of the title-winning side have moved on, with only Matt Doherty still at the club.

Multiple players from the squad have had mixed fortunes since moving on, with age catching up with many of them.

However, one man who has worked his way back to the Premier League despite being 37 years old is John Ruddy.

Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper John Ruddy with the EFL Championship Golden Gloves trophy during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wolverha..

Ruddy had been a valued member of the Wolves squad upon their promotion back to the top flight. The goalkeeper played in all competitions, including in the Europa League and an FA Cup semi-final.

Upon the expiry of his contract in 2022, he spent the next two seasons at Birmingham City where he won the Player’s Player of the Season in his first campaign before being relegated the year after.

After deciding to leave League One side this summer, Ruddy has now signed for Newcastle United.

The goalkeeper signed a one-year contract and has now returned to the Premier League after a two-season absence.

Speaking on his move, he said: “This is a massive club and it’s a massive opportunity, so I’m really excited to get started
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. It’s a huge, huge club which is only going one way and to be a part of that, however big or small, is going to be very pleasing and very exciting.”

John Ruddy of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux on March 15, 2021
It is no secret that Ruddy’s Wolves career ended sourly.

It was widely reported that the club had offered him an extension at Molineux before they changed their minds.

In the Championship, he has once again shown what ability he still possesses and has rightly been rewarded with one last shot at the Premier League at the end of his career.

While it is highly unlikely that he will get regular game time at St. James’ Park, his experience will undoubtedly be a boost for the European hopefuls.

As a result, it only makes it more puzzling that Wolves decided to part ways with Ruddy two years ago given his ability and experience.

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