Ex-Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy – signed 15 years ago.

Fifteen years ago to the day, custodian John Ruddy joined Norwich City and helped Paul Lambert’s squad return to the top flight.

On July 5, 2010, John Ruddy signed a contract with Norwich City, marking the end of his itinerant life. Ruddy rose to prominence with Cambridge United before joining Everton in May 2005.

However, he only appeared in one league game for the Toffees, coming on as a substitute, and the club loaned him away nine times. Walsall, Rushden, Chester, Stockport, Wrexham, Bristol City, Crewe, and Motherwell became temporary residences.

But a decade of being farmed out ended when Paul Lambert brought him to Norfolk after failing to recruit League One promotion keeper Fraser Forster on a permanent basis.

Lambert apparently had Ruddy on his radar before joining Carrow Road.“It is funny but we went to watch him for Crewe at MK Dons, but he had an absolute stinker,” Lambert told the BBC.

“We also watched him at Stockport, and I decided against him at the time, but when Fraser (Forster) left and it became evident we wouldn’t be able to re-sign him, I knew John had had a fantastic season at Motherwell. “There was a lot of interest in signing Fraser, but we couldn’t afford it. I wanted someone of the similar stature, a large custodian, and John fit the bill.”

Ruddy became a consistent presence on City’s team sheets, appearing in 235 league games and eight other competitions.

In his first season, City were promoted to the Premier League, and he won the Championship Play-off Final in 2015. Ruddy’s time at City ended in May 2017, when he was one of seven key players who left the club. He went on to play for Wolves and Birmingham before signing with Newcastle a year ago.

Ruddy became a permanent fixture on City team sheets, making 235 league appearances, plus eight in other competitions. In his first season City were promoted to the top flight and he added a Championship play-off final win to his CV in 2015.

Ruddy’s time at City came to an end in May 2017 when he was one of seven top players to leave the clubs. He went on to play for Wolves and Birmingham before joining Newcastle a year ago.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk