Wolves have agreed a deal to sign former Newcastle United full back Kieran Trippier as they plot an ambitious return to the Premier League.
The 35-year-old had a number of options to consider but has now verbally agreed a two-year contract with the option of a third. Wolves see him as someone who can be a leader and mentor for the dressing room, and he will have a medical after he returns from holiday in Turkey.
Trippier’s signing from Atletico Madrid in January 2022 was the catalyst for Newcastle’s resurgence under Eddie Howe as he helped set standards on the pitch and Wolves manager Rob Edwards is looking for someone to help exert the same influence over his team, who finished bottom of the top flight
On Friday morning Edwards spoke about the challenge of preparing for a Premier League push, telling Wolves’ website: ‘We need a fresh group of players. There’s a core here that we can build around and that we want to be able to work with, but we’re going to need a big refresh.
‘We need to become a more dynamic team, and sometimes, no matter the work that you do on the grass, the individual can bring that to life because of their quality and the attributes that they have. We’re going to need players with different attributes to what we’ve got right now.
Kieran Trippier receives a guard of honour from Newcastle team-mates at his final match at St James’s Park, the 3-1 win over West Ham United on May 17
‘We’ve spoken a lot that, but we’ve got a good group of people in the main, and there’s a lot of good lads there, but there’s no doubt we’ve lacked some experience, some leadership, maybe a little bit of know-how at key moments.
‘There’s no doubt we’re going to need good characters, people who want to be here and want to fight. That’s the most important thing.’
Former England international Trippier also has designs on becoming a coach after finishing his playing career and could find a natural progression at Molineux where they are keen to bring through some talented youngsters alongside their more experienced heads.
Howe gave credit to Trippier for the example he set at St James’, saying recently: ‘He goes down as one of the best players that’s played for me.
‘In my time here, he’s been a model of consistency. Behind the scenes, he’s had that will to win and will to help us prepare to the best we can.
‘He’s been outstanding on the pitch. He’s been a really good leader and deserves to go with all the plaudits.’
Trippier had Premier League interest and options abroad, including in Saudi Arabia.
Wolves have managed to convince Andre to sign a new contract but face a battle to keep hold of promising Portuguese forward Mateus Mane.
Schalke, who have just won promotion back to the Bundesliga, hold an interest in Wolves forward Sasa Kalajdzic.
