John Ruddy released just months after Sunderland’s failed bid; reunion should appeal to Moyes

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Norwich City have released goalkeeper John Ruddy – just months after a move to Sunderland fell through.

Norwich’s John Ruddy

Last week, Norwich City confirmed on their official website that they won’t be handing goalkeeper John Ruddy a new contract this summer, allowing him to become a free agent.

Ruddy, 30, joined Norwich from Everton back in 2010 after a successful loan spell with Motherwell, and he has been a regular for the Canaries ever since.

With almost 250 appearances in his seven years at Carrow Road, Ruddy has starred for Norwich and played his part in two promotion-winning campaigns with the club.

Now though, Ruddy’s time with Norwich is over, and he should generate plenty of interest as a free agent despite a couple of hit-and-miss seasons with the Canaries.

One club who made a move to sign Ruddy in August 2016 was Sunderland, as Sky Sports claimed that a deadline day bid to land the goalkeeper – but the Black Cats couldn’t get the deal over the line.

Norwich City’s John Ruddy

Now a free agent, Ruddy should be back on Sunderland’s radar, after manager David Moyes worked with the former England international with Everton.

Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is expected to leave the club this summer, with Everton keen according to The Mirror, and Moyes may want to bring in another goalkeeper in his place, despite having Vito Mannone and Mika.

Sunderland manager David Moyes

Ruddy would fit the bill on a free transfer, with Moyes clearly keen to reunite with him last year, and the fact that he is now a free agent should be appealing to the relegated Black Cats as they look to plot a route back to the Premier League.

With real experience, a prior relationship with Moyes, no current club and enough left in the tank to play for some years, Ruddy makes sense as a Sunderland target once again – though he may be spoilt for choice this summer as clubs will no doubt be looking to land him.

Would you like to see Sunderland sign Ruddy?