Liam Duckstein
Kieran Trippier is set to join newly-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer after departing Newcastle United, marking a surprise descent to the Championship for the veteran defender. The 35-year-old has agreed a two-year contract at Molineux, with the club holding an option for a third season.
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Wolves Win the Race for Trippier
According to Sky Sports, Wolves beat out multiple clubs to secure Trippier’s signature, with the former England international turning down offers from sides across the continent. The deal remains subject to a medical, scheduled for next week once the defender returns from a family holiday. Trippier arrives having left Atletico Madrid for St James’ Park back in January 2021, accumulating 160 appearances for the Magpies across four and a half seasons.
Howe’s Tribute to a Newcastle Stalwart
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was frank in his praise ahead of the departure:
“He’s definitely deserving of recognition. I think the decision to come here in the first place needs to be celebrated because he’s gone from a team that was hugely successful in Spain into a team that’s fighting relegation in the Premier League. He took it on and I’m so pleased for him that it was rewarded because there’s no guarantee that was going to be the case. The team stayed up and then never looked back.”
“It was strange because probably a lot of people forget that he got injured and didn’t really contribute on the pitch as he would have wanted initially in our fight against relegation. It was more the next season where he then played an unbelievable part in our run to the Champions League. We only lost, I think, four games that season… That’s probably my biggest memory of him. Then along with the cup final win where I thought he was magnificent that day. Absolutely gigantic performance and he got the feeling of lifting the cup with Bruno [Guimaraes] and Jamaal [Lascelles].”
Trippier’s Farewell to St James’ Park
Trippier’s tenure at Newcastle peaked with the 2025 Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool, ending the club’s 70-year domestic trophy drought. The defender captained the side and lifted the trophy alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Jamaal Lascelles.
In his farewell statement, Trippier said:
“The time has come to leave this amazing club after four-and-a-half years. This is where I have felt most at home. It’s emotional, and I’m really going to miss it. I want to say a massive thank you to the supporters for all the support through the good and the bad times. You’ve always supported me, always stood by me.”
“To my teammates, it’s going to be emotional. It’s been an amazing journey with you guys. I’m going to miss you all, but to win a trophy with you guys was really, really special – the best of my career. And to the manager, Eddie Howe, all the coaching staff and the team behind the scenes, a massive thank you. The gaffer had the trust – twice – to sign me, gave me the opportunity to represent and captain this great club and most importantly, we managed to win a trophy. I’m going to miss everyone at the club. Thank you.”
What Trippier Brings to Molineux
Wolves manager Rob Edwards sees Trippier as a dressing-room leader capable of driving a promotion charge back to the Premier League. The West Midlands club, rebuilding after relegation, face a 46-game Championship campaign and will lean on his elite pedigree to set the standard. Trippier completes his medical next week before the move is formally confirmed.
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