Wolves completes £12.8m signing of Strasbourg midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde as Gary O’Neil bolsters his squad on deadline day

• Wolves complete the signing of the midfielder from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg 
• Gary O’Neil took over as manager in August after Julen Lopetegui who left club
• Bellegard joins Manchester City’s Tommy Doyle on loan, and Santiago Bueno

Wolves have signed Jean-Ricner Bellegarde on a five-year deal from Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.

For a fee of £12.8million, the midfielder joins on a five-year contract, extending until 2028.

The 25-year-old can play either as a central midfielder supporting the forwards or in one of the two wider positions.

Bellgarde, who has previously represented France at the youth level, arrives at the  Molineux with an impressive track record of 129 appearances for Strasbourg.

He has already made a significant impact in the current season, contributing with two goals and two assists in just three matches.

Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs said: ‘He’s a player the recruitment team flagged towards the end of last season, and he’s started this season very well.

‘He’s athletic, technical and has ability to drive with the ball, and you can see from his goal and assist record that he’s had an excellent start to this season.’

Bellegarde initiated his professional career at Lens, where he amassed 47 appearances and netted six goals before embarking on his new journey with Wolves.

 

 

 

‘Good business’: Darren Moore gives his verdict on Wolves’ huge departure

Wolves were busier in the final 48 hours of the window than they were in the opening two months.

The sale of Matheus Nunes to Manchester City really opened up the market for Wolves to conduct some business.

The departure was replaced by two incoming midfielders; Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Tommy Doyle, both combined to cost a fraction of the Nunes fee.

With the sale, Wolves and Gary O’Neil have strengthened immeasurably compared to what they thought possible this time last week.

But the departure of Nunes will be felt, however it is probably more a win-win for all involved, that is what one Sky Sports pundit thinks.

Nunes sale works for both teams

Speaking on Sky Sports‘ deadline day show, Darren Moore raved about the quality of Nunes.

He however did insist he thought the sale was good from Wolves too, he said:

“It’s a win win. Good business for both Wolves, for Man City it’s a wonderful acquisition to the team.”

He continued to praise Nunes, “Another young, youthful, different dynamic midfield player to add to the squad.”

Wolves’ new midfield is impressive

Selling Nunes could be a blessing in disguise, with two immensely talented players arriving in his wake.

Doyle has arrive initially on-loan however Old Gold will be able to purchase him, however there is said to be a huge sell-on clause for Manchester City.

Meanwhile Bellegarde comes from Strasbourg as a former France youth international, in a deal worth £12.8m.

This means Gary O’Neil has strengthened his side on deadline day, and finds himself in a position he was likely dreaming off over the last few weeks.