Where are they now? Wolves’ 2017/18 promotion winners (cloned)

Few teams have looked as dominant in an EFL season as Wolves did in their 2017/2018 EFL Championship title-winning campaign.

Under the guidance of Nuno Espírito Santo, Wolves did not just win the league - they dominated it, blending continental flair with relentless consistency to storm back into the Premier League.

It was a squad packed with emerging stars, intelligent signings, and players who perfectly fit the bold tactical vision that Nuno had at the time. Some would go on to reach the very top of the game; others would carve out solid careers across Europe and others would struggle to experience such highs again.

So, nearly a decade on and with Wolves set for a return to the second tier next season, where did that title-winning group end up - and how many fulfilled the promise of that extraordinary year?

Goalkeepers

John Ruddy

Stayed through the early Premier League years as deputy to Rui Patricio, mainly featuring as a cup goalkeeper and played in the Wembley defeat to Watford in 2019. Later moved to Birmingham City and is now third-choice at Newcastle United.

Will Norris

Made two league appearances for Wolves - starting the final-day 3-0 defeat to Sunderland in the title-winning season and then as a substitute for Rui Patricio against Fulham in 2019. Left Wolves for Burnley before cementing himself as a reliable EFL goalkeeper with Peterborough United, Portsmouth and now Wycombe Wanderers.

Harry Burgoyne

A hero of the FA Cup giant killing at Anfield in 2017, Burgoyne came on as a substitute for Norris in the final-day defeat at Sunderland. Joined Shrewsbury Town in 2019 where he became a bit-part player, and most recently dropped into non-league with Alfreton Town. Now back at Shrewsbury as a goalkeeper coach aged just 29.

Defenders

Matt Doherty

A star performer in the 2017/18 campaign, the goal-scoring wing back stayed at Molineux for two seasons in the top flight and scored big goals in the Premier League, FA Cup and in Europe. Earned a big move to Tottenham Hotspur alongside Nuno in 2020 and is now back at Wolves after a brief spell with Atletico Madrid.

Conor Coady

A surprise choice as captain and centre back by Nuno in pre-season, but an inspired one. Coady went on to miss just one game in four Premier League seasons for Wolves and captained the club at Wembley and in the Europa League. Left on loan to Everton in 2022 and has gone on to have spells at Leicester City, Wrexham and now Charlton Athletic.

Ryan Bennett

Another unlikely star, Bennett became a crucial part of Nuno’s back three system and played 45 times in the Premier League before leaving in 2020. Now retired after spells at Leicester, Swansea City and Cambridge United and has ambitions to be a Sporting Director.

Willy Boly

Joined Wolves permanently after his initial loan spell and became a popular figure at the club. Scored a memorable late winner against Besiktas in the Europa League, but slowly fell out of favour after Nuno’s exit. Joined Nottingham Forest in 2022 and is still on their books, but has not played a minute of league football this season.

Barry Douglas

One season wonders do not get much better than Barry Douglas. The Scottish wing back was a revelation during the 2017/18 campaign, netting five goals - including a stunning free kick against Leeds United - and laying on 14 assists. Was sold to Leeds in the summer of 2018 and struggled to hit the heights that he did at Molineux. Retired earlier this month after struggling to find a club for seven months following his release from St Johnstone.

Danny Batth

The Brierley Hill boy left in 2019 after making nearly 200 appearances for the club. Has proven to be a reliable EFL defender at Stoke City, Sunderland, Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and now Derby County.

Roderick Miranda

The Portuguese defender never seemed to settle into life in England and made just 14 appearances for the club before loan spells at Olympiacos and Famalicao. Left permanently in 2021 to Turkish side Gaziantep and is now captain of Australian side Melbourne Victory.

Ruben Vinagre

The young full back did not feature much in the Championship but joined Wolves permanently upon promotion. Struggled to oust Jonny Otto for a starting berth and after several loan moves away he joined Sporting Lisbon in 2022. Had a loan spell at Everton in 2022, Hull City in 2023 and now plays for Legia Warsaw.

Oskar Buur

The Danish wing back made a memorable debut when he scored an equaliser against Hull en route to promotion. That was as good as it got for Buur in Wolves colours though, and he left for Dutch side Volendam in 2022. Now back in his native Denmark with Lyngby Boldklub.

Midfielders

Ruben Neves

The wonderkid from Porto who needs no introduction, Ruben Neves became a modern-day Wolves legend in his six years at the club. Made over 200 appearances, became club captain, a full Portuguese international and scored some of the best goals that Molineux has ever seen. Despite reportedly having suitors all over Europe he chose to join Saudi league side Al-Hilal in 2023 where he remains aged 29.

Romain Saiss

Another fans favourite who embodied everything positive about the club at the time, Saiss made 176 appearances for Wolves between 2016 and 2022. Left to join Besiktas and then moved to Qatari side Al Sadd where he remains now.

Alfred N’Diaye

The Villareal loanee proved a solid signing for Nuno, often providing physicality and a goal-scoring threat from the bench during the 2017/18 season. After Wolves he had spells with Malaga, Al-Shabab and most recently Armenian giants FC Noah. Retired in 2024 aged 34.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Once the beacon of the Wolves academy, Gibbs-White struggled to cement himself as a first team regular following promotion and was sent out on loan to Swansea and Sheffield United in the Championship. His impressive performances caught the attention of Nottingham Forest who signed him for more than £30m in 2022, a deal which has proved very successful for both parties. Currently an England international and will likely captain Forest in the Europa League semi-finals against Aston Villa.

Jack Price

Fear the beard, Jack Price was a cult hero at Molineux, especially during the League One title win in 2014. By the time Nuno arrived in 2017 his Wolves career was all-but over, and he moved to Colorado Rapids in January 2018. Now at Brackley Town after a short spell at hometown club Shrewsbury.

Ben Marshall

Made six league appearances at the start of the 2017/18 season before being shipped out on loan to Millwall in January. Joined Norwich City in the summer of 2018 on a four-year deal but left by mutual consent a year later having fallen out of love with professional football. Joined 12th tier side Stoneclough in 2019 and was last seen at City of Stoke FC in 2024.

Forwards

Diogo Jota

A heart-breaking story. Joined Wolves permanently after promotion and proved to be one of the most exciting players in Europe, forming a lethal partnership with Raul Jimenez. Joined Liverpool in 2020 and won the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, as well as the Nations League with Portugal twice. In the summer of 2025, aged just 28 and at the peak of his powers, he was tragically killed in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva.

Helder Costa

The darling of the 2016/17 season, Costa didn’t quite hit those heights again under Nuno. Netted a memorable Premier League goal against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, but was deemed surplus to requirements in the summer of 2019 and joined Leeds United, initially on loan and then permanently. Most recently played in China for Yunnan Yukun in 2025 and became an Angolan international. Currently without a club aged 32.

Ivan Cavaleiro

Without doubt a talented forward, ‘Cav’ never quite hit the heights of Jota or Costa in a Wolves shirt and struggled to retain a starting spot in the Premier League. Left for Fulham in 2019 where he spent three seasons, and has since played for Alanyaspor (Turkey), Lille (France), Red Bull Bragantino (Brazil), Stal Mielec (Poland), Tondela (Portugal), and is now at FC Zurich (Switzerland).

Leo Bonatini

The Brazilian striker had a real Jekyll and Hyde season, netting 12 goals before Christmas and then not scoring again in the 2017/18 season. Despite the drop off in form he joined permanently in the summer of 2018 but continued to struggle, and was loaned out to Nottingham Forest, Vitoria and Grasshoppers. Last played for Atletico San Luis in Mexico but left in 2025.

Benik Afobe

Scored some important goals in the promotion season and was signed for £10m in the summer of 2018, only to be sold to Stoke for £12m six months later. Injuries and the heart-breaking death of his 2-year-old daughter Amora affected his career, but aged 33 he currently plies his trade in the UAE with Al-Arabi.

Bright Enobakhare

The academy graduate never really made it at Molineux and has played for Coventry City, WIgan Athletic, AEK Athens, East Bengal, Hapoel Jerusalem, Rukh Lviv, Al Bidda since leaving Wolves. Now on the books of Indian side Diamond Harbor aged 28.

Rafa Mir

A big-money January signing that never worked out. Mir played just twice in the league for Wolves and was loaned out to Las Palmas, Nottingham Forest and Huesca before being sold to Sevilla in 2021. Is currently on loan at Spanish First Division side Elche and is under investigation for separate alleged sexual assault and racism offences.