Newcastle United move ahead of Charlton and Blackburn in transfer race for out-of-contract Birmingham City star

Despite suffering relegation with Birmingham City, John Ruddy could be on his way to the Premier League. (Image: Getty Images)Despite suffering relegation with Birmingham City, John Ruddy could be on his way to the Premier League. (Image: Getty Images)
Despite suffering relegation with Birmingham City, John Ruddy could be on his way to the Premier League. (Image: Getty Images) | Getty Images
A Birmingham City player that turned down the chance to stay could now be heading to the Premier League.

John Ruddy has been offered the chance of a move to the Premier League following his departure from Birmingham City.

The 37-year-old revealed on social media on Thursday (June 27) that he would be leaving St Andrew's after two years at the club. He was offered a new contract back in May even before Chris Davies' appointment, but he has opted to leave to seek a new playing opportunity.

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According to the Mirror, Newcastle United have made an offer to sign him. Ruddy was set to hold talks with Charlton Athletic, but Ruddy's availability is set to have interested the Magpies.

Eddie Howe has two sound options in Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka but might require a third-choice goalkeeper. Former Liverpool man Lorus Karius is out of contract and Ruddy could fill that position, whilst helping Newcastle with their homegrown quota.

He has a decent amount of experience of top-flight football and has played for three different clubs in the Premier League. Ruddy appeared for Everton in February 2006, and then five years later he arrived with Norwich City, playing three years in Europe's leading division.

The last time Ruddy played in the Premier League was in May 2022, appearing as a substitute for Wolves against Liverpool. He helped Wolves get promoted to the Premier League but he would be displaced at Molineux by Rui Patricio and later Jose Sa.

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Since leaving Wolves, he battled with Neil Etheridge for the number one spot, and most of the time he came out on top. He played a total of 89 times for Birmingham under John Eustace and various different managers, keeping 25 clean sheets. Despite the club's relegation from the Championship, Ruddy was ranked as the seventh best performing goalkeeper in the division according to WhoScored.

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