England International (one cap, 45 mins in 2012) John Thomas Gordon Ruddy joined Newcastle United in the summer of 2024.

The transfer seemed to be as a replacement for the outgoing squad player Loris Karius who had been been released by the Magpies the same summer. Perhaps a sensible move in terms of back up keepers.

But in a twist that seemed forced on the club as they scrambled to beat the end of June PSR deadline Newcastle would end up adding another keeper to their ranks with Odysseas Vlachodimos joining from Forest as part of the deal that saw Elliot Anderson going the other way for what appeared to be an inflated £35m.

Indeed as United went into the 2024/25 season they would have 5 first team goalkeepers on the books with Pope, Dubravka, Vlachodimos, Gillespie and Ruddy all listed in the squad.

Upon joining Newcastle, Ruddy had 551 first league appearances under his belt in all competitions at 14 different clubs. Ruddy signed a one year contract with United.