Sam Ricketts named Wolves captain in move

Sam Ricketts today signed on at Wolves to become their new captain after securing his release from Bolton.

The 31-year-old has penned a two-year deal after leaving the Trotters as a free agent, rather than Wolves agreeing a fee, after his medical yesterday.

The versatile Wales international, who can play anywhere across the back four, also becomes the new skipper at Molineux.

Working with boss Kenny Jackett – the man who gave him his League break in 2004 at Swansea – was too good an opportunity for Ricketts to miss.

He said: "I know Kenny from Swansea and I know what a big club this is with huge support. I'm excited at what's a great opportunity.

"Kenny signed me from Telford and I had two great years at Swansea with him where we got promoted the first year and narrowly missed out the second.

"I know what he's all about and I trust him. He's a nice guy which goes a long way – there aren't all that many nice managers and he earns respect from that.

"He's also a calm character who gets teams very well organised and has a proven track record. I just want to start working with the lads and preparing for the first game.

"That's when the challenge starts to get this club back where it belongs."

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Jackett today said of the decision to hand the armband to Ricketts: "Sam has come in as captain.

"It's a new challenge for him but we needed some freshness in the squad and he's flexible. He can play anywhere across the back four."

Ricketts has played in all five divisions – including the Conference, where he played for Telford United in 2003-04 – and insists dropping down to League One from the Championship isn't a problem to him.

He said: "Dropping down a division doesn't put me off at all, because of the size of the club. Wolves aren't looking to stay in League One – we are looking upwards.

"It's a big club, and was one of the biggest in the Championship. Everyone is looking forward to seeing where we can go.

"I have played in every league and played at more or less every ground in the country so there is nothing new for me.

"It's going to be an exciting and enjoyable new challenge."

After earning his League chance under Jackett at 23, Ricketts could be seen as a late developer.

But he may also become arguably the most experienced campaigner at Molineux – which could be key given the increasing youthfulness of the squad.

He said: "I still view myself as fairly young – physically am probably in as good a shape as I have ever been.

"I've been fortunate and have only really had one major injury. I'm looking to play for another five or six years."

Ricketts is probably best known to Wolves fans for scoring a stunning opener for Bolton against them in a 1-1 draw on New Year's Eve 2011.

It was on his comeback from a 10-month lay off with an Achilles injury – past his Wales team-mate Wayne Hennessey.

He smiled: "It's always nice to put one past Wayne!"