The player who was a key part of Wolves’ rise under Nun Espirito Santo has now become a free agent.
Gary O’Neil has made an impressive start to the summer transfer window so far at Molineux, with three new faces already set to strengthen the squad.
Tommy Doyle, Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Limo are the first signings of the 2024/25 season, while striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is also being speculated about.
While the focus is on O’Neil’s squad as they finally look set to grow after the 2023/24 Test campaign, some may have noticed elsewhere that the former Wolves favorite is now without a club.
Former Wolves star Rui Patricio is now a free agent
In 2018, Nuno Santo signed Sporting CP goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who became an integral part of the Old Gold squad.
Patricio was introduced to the team as Wolves were welcomed back to the Premier League, leading the club to seven consecutive promotion spots.
The Portuguese veteran left in 2021 when an offer came to play under Jose Mourinho at Roma, with Wolves replacing the striker with Jose Sa.
Now, three years later, Patricio has become a free agent after his contract in Rome expired, and his next destination is unknown.
The former Wolves star is currently at Euro 2024 with Portugal alongside Sao and will decide on his domestic future after the tournament.
Patricio will always be a favorite at Molineux
From his first moments in a Wolves shirt, Patricio was a beloved figure in the Midlands, with one of his first acts showing his class as a person.
The now 36-year-old refused to wear the number one shirt on arrival, insisting the number was Carl Ikemes, who has just retired after a battle with leukaemia.
As well as his class off the pitch, the Portugal international has been hailed as a hero for his performances between the sticks, with former Express and Star journalist Joe Edwards once describing him as “outstanding”.
After 127 appearances from his debut, Patricio ended his spell at Wolves as he joined Mourinho in Rome, where he won the Europa Conference League in the 2021/22 season.
Now a free agent, it will be interesting to see where star striker Nuno takes the next step in his domestic career when he officially bids farewell to Roma this week.