27 June 2024 , 09:24
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John Ruddy has penned an emotional farewell to Birmingham City - and could be set for a shock jump into the Premier League.
The veteran keeper has been mulling over several offers - including one from Newcastle United - as he considers his options ahead of next season.
Ruddy, 37, was undecided come the end of the last campaign - one in which the Blues were relegated to the third tier for the first time in 30 years - as to whether he would continue his career at St Andrew’s.
He was out-of-contract and was open to staying at the club - although it appears that he would have been contesting a No.1 spot with Ryan Allsop who has joined on a Bosman from Hull City. Ruddy had been speaking to Charlton Athletic about a move to the Valley but it appears his availability has prompted an enquiry from Tyneside.
The Magpies have two senior keepers in Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka - but are set to lose a third as Lorus Karius is out of contract.
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They do have back-up in the position but Ruddy would provide competition and give boss Eddie Howe a quality reinforcement should the situation arise where he is needed.
Ruddy faced alienation from some colleagues last term when he laid into his team-mates as they slipped out of the Championship. His pleas fell on deaf ears as the club suffered demotion on the final day and he was clearly upset at the final whistle.
John Ruddy looks dejected as he is escorted off the pitch after Birmingham City are relegated to League One. (Cameron Smith/Getty Images)He sent a message on Instagram to Birmingham confirming his exit, saying: “"I would just like to say thank you.
“Thank you to all of you Bluenoses that made me and my family feel so welcome at your wonderful club over the last two years.
"It didn’t end as any of us wanted to but I hope the one thing that you can say about me was I gave everything every time I pulled the shirt on.
“Sometimes it was enough and other times it wasn’t to be, but it was a genuine privilege to play for your club.”