After two seasons with Birmingham City, goalie John Ruddy’s contract expires in the summer. Christian Walton of Ipswich Town might be a fantastic alternative if they decide to hire a new goalkeeper in the summer.
After being released by Premier League team Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he had spent the previous five seasons, Ruddy signed with Birmingham in July 2022.
He brought a wealth of experience to St Andrew’s Stadium when he signed a one-year contract at the age of 35. The goalkeeper has played for teams including Norwich City, Crew Alexandra, Bristol City, Stockport County, and Cambridge United in the Football League, making over 250 appearances overall.
Ruddy came in as an improvement over Philippines international Neil Etheridge, taking the position of departed Montenegrin goalkeeper Matija Sarkic. Within four months of joining the Blues, the Saint Ives native signed a contract extension that would keep him in the West Midlands until the conclusion of this season. He quickly established himself as the team’s top player throughout his first campaign.
The 37-year-old has not yet received a new contract offer from the team, therefore they will need to go elsewhere for a goalie for the upcoming campaign.
Ipswich backup Christian Walton fits in well.
It appears like Walton of Ipswich is a fantastic choice to succeed Ruddy at Birmingham. The former England U21 international played in the League Cup against Tottenham Hotspur at the age of eighteen after rising through the youth systems of Plymouth Argyle and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Walton completed a permanent move to the club in January 2022 following an excellent loan stint there, following other loan stints to EFL clubs, including Luton Town, Plymouth, Wigan Athletic, and Blackburn Rovers.
Last season, Walton started all of Suffolk’s League One games as the team finished in second place, conceded just 35 goals, and achieved promotion to the Championship.
With a 6.88 rating, the 6’5″ keeper was ranked eighth in the league that season, down from sixth place with a 6.93 rating the year before, according to Sofascore statistics.
A regrettable injury sustained by Walton during the summer cleared the path for Czech goalkeeper Václav Hladký to be introduced into the starting lineup. After seizing the chance with many impressive performances for the Tractor Boys, the 33-year-old is now Kieran McKenna’s first pick.
Walton’s deal expires at the end of the current campaign, but his team has the option to give him an additional year’s extension. Walton’s tenure in Suffolk may be coming to an end, as Hladký’s play remains outstanding and Suffolk’s chances of promotion appear favorable.
Birmingham cannot depend on standby plans.
Ruddy must be replaced by Birmingham before the 2024–2025 season begins. The only other goalkeepers they have available are the unproven 19-year-old Bradley Mayo and the greatly out-of-favor Neil Etheridge.
With his contract set to expire in the summer, experienced goalkeeper Ruddy may decide it’s time to move on after serving as Birmingham’s starting goalie for two seasons.
Walton is a strong contender to take Ruddy’s place and has experience competing at the championship level. Additionally, the Suffolk stopper might be offered for free, and a transfer to the Midlands could spark the player’s career again after he lost ground in Suffolk.
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