Norwich City made an incredibly shrewd move in the summer of 2010 when they signed goalkeeper John Ruddy from Everton for just £250,000, a fee that has arguably proven to be one of the club’s most intelligent investments ever.
The transfer followed Norwich’s promotion back to the Championship under manager Paul Lambert, after they had won the League One title. The Canaries finished the season with a remarkable 95 points, but few expected them to challenge for promotion to the Premier League so soon after their return to the second tier.
Ruddy’s arrival, however, was a key factor in Norwich’s success. His performances were instrumental in helping the team finish second in the Championship in their first season back, securing a return to the top flight after a six-year absence. In 45 appearances, Ruddy kept 10 clean sheets, quickly establishing himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and providing a solid foundation as Norwich made their return to the Premier League.
Before joining Norwich, Ruddy struggled to break into Everton’s first team, with Tim Howard firmly established as the number one choice. The move to Norwich provided him with the opportunity to play regularly, and it proved to be a wise decision for both the player and the club, as Ruddy quickly became worth far more than the £250,000 Norwich had spent on him.
Ruddy played a crucial role in Norwich’s promotion campaign. He made 45 appearances in his first season at Carrow Road, conceding 58 goals and keeping 10 clean sheets. His performances were vital as the team returned to the Premier League. Although Norwich’s defensive record in their first Premier League season wasn’t the best, with 66 goals conceded, Ruddy’s consistent performances helped keep the team competitive. Despite the team finishing 12th in the 2011/12 campaign, Ruddy showed he could hold his own in the top flight.
The following season, despite injury issues, Ruddy proved his worth even further. He managed to double his clean sheet tally, keeping six in just 15 appearances, including in notable wins against Arsenal and eventual champions Manchester United.
Ruddy’s impact at Norwich was not just about his individual performances; his leadership and reliability were central to the club’s stability during his time at Carrow Road. Over seven seasons at Norwich, Ruddy reasserted himself as the team’s number one goalkeeper after recovering from injury in 2013. He made 65 appearances in the Premier League between 2013 and 2016, keeping 15 clean sheets and continuing to be a standout performer for the Canaries.
Despite Norwich’s relegation from the Premier League in the 2013/14 season, Ruddy’s performances remained strong. He kept 12 clean sheets that season, which was not enough to prevent Norwich from finishing 18th, but it highlighted his quality even in difficult circumstances.
Although Ruddy could have continued playing in the Premier League as Norwich dropped to the Championship, he stayed loyal to the club and played a key role in their immediate return to the top flight. He remained at Norwich until the summer of 2017, making another 26 league appearances in the Championship and keeping eight clean sheets. However, following Norwich’s eighth-place finish that season, his seven-year stint at the club came to an end.
Ruddy moved on to Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he played an important part in the club’s Championship title-winning campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo. However, despite his success at Wolves, he was never able to replicate the same level of impact he had at Norwich, where his £250,000 price tag proved to be one of the best investments in the club’s history.
