Norwich City’s John Ruddy has said goodbye to the club and it’s fans after playing in his final game with the comments being reported by the club website.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper has been at Carrow Road since 2010 but after a couple of years where fans have agreed that his form has dipped, the club have decided to release him at the end of his contract this summer. Some reports have suggested that this is due to the high wages Ruddy was on and the fact Norwich are looking to reduce the budget after failing to get promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
So today Ruddy played in his last ever game for Norwich and fortunately for him he was able to leave happy after they claimed an impressive 4-0 win over QPR thanks to brace from Wes Hoolahan as well as goals from Alex Pritchard and Josh Murphy.
And after the game, Ruddy bid an emotional farewell to the team he has spent the last seven years with. He said: “It was a superb performance from the lads and great to go out in the way that we did.”
“It was important to me, and I said to Stuart [Webber] and Alan [Irvine] earlier this week saying goodbye was something I wanted to do. They were more than happy for that to happen, so I’m very grateful.”
“I’m also very grateful to Russ [Martin] for allowing me to wear the armband. It was a great gesture from someone who’s been here the whole time I have, and been through the ups and downs.”
“It was special, because Norwich means a whole lot to me and my family. It’s a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
“I’m eternally grateful for all the support given to me throughout the years. That’s what makes football clubs. It’s been an emotional day but one I’m extremely proud of.”
