'The club is in his heart' - Rob Edwards on Raul Jimenez's Wolves return

Rob Edwards said Raul Jimenez needed no convincing about a stunning return to Wolves - especially after the "love" he received at Molineux.

Wolves announced the incredible re-signing of fan favourite Jimenez late on Tuesday evening, sparking jubilation among the fan base.

Boss Edwards hailed chairman Nathan Shi and technical director Matt Jackson for their work in bringing the Mexican back to Molineux.

He added that the reception Jimenez received from Wolves supporters when he returned with former club Fulham in May helped influence his decision.

“I’ve got to give Nathan a lot of credit because he did a lot of the hard work to be able to deliver this signing,” said Edwards.

“And again, it’s huge credit to Nathan and Jacko for the way they’re delivering these players as quickly as they are doing.

“When I spoke to Raul, he didn’t need any convincing, but I think there’s been a lot of for him to think about with his family as they’ve been living in London, and the kids are still younger, but they’re in school in London, and everything else that goes with it, so there’s going to be a move back up here, and there were other options for him to think about as well, rightly so, because he’s a very good player, but he feels this is the right thing for him.

“He definitely would have felt the love towards the end of the season when he came back to Molineux, and that certainly would have helped.

“It was a bit strange in that game as I could sense the crowd thinking how good it would be if Raul scores the winner here, and I wasn’t sure I liked it, but at the same time I appreciated how much he means to the supporters and to the football club.

“Although he’s had a bit to think about, this is one where it’s in his heart, the club is in his heart, and it means so much to him.

“He also really wants to help get the club back to where it’s been before, and that’s what we’ve really got to play on, because both Raul and Tripps could easily have gone somewhere else, they both could have stayed in the Premier League, but they’ve decided to come here and help us achieve something special.”

Jimenez, who remains Wolves' record Premier League goalscorer, received a standing ovation from supporters when he returned to Molineux in May. Fans chanted "Si Senor" as well as "sign him up".

Speaking to the Express & Star after the game, Jimenez hinted at the possibility of a return, saying he felt the fans' love and that it would be "nice, more after today".

The Mexican will now look to help Wolves secure an immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation to the Championship, three years after leaving the club.

Edwards added: “We’re delighted that he’s here and I know everyone will be very excited.

“He’s another player with huge experience, but also knows Wolverhampton, he knows the area, knows the club, knows the DNA and the fabric of it, and knows what it means to play for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“It’s going to be so much easier for me to be able to demand what I’m going to demand of the players, because he’s lived it, he knows the levels, so I’m very, very pleased.”