The 20-year-old has enjoyed his breakthrough season with the first-team this year and has flourished under head coach Julen Lopetegui, who handed him his full Premier League debut just last month.
Energetic and fully committed with his performances, Hodge has enjoyed a seamless transition from the under-21s and now has ten first-team appearances to his name, the most recent coming against Liverpool in the Emirates FA Cup this week.
Signed from Manchester City in 2021, where he’d lifted the FA Youth Cup the previous year, Hodge recovered from a back injury to star in the under-21s’ promotion-winning campaign last time out under James Collins.
This term, with Collins and Steve Davis temporary taking the reins of the first-team, they handed a number of youngsters their break, including Hodge at Chelsea in October.
A whole-hearted second half performance at Stamford Bridge led to more opportunities, including a first start against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup, with new head coach Julen Lopetegui watching from afar.
The Spaniard liked what he saw from the midfielder that night, and in Marbella during the training camp, as Hodge transitioned into the first-team on a permanent basis.
Since then, the youngster has featured in six of Lopetegui’s eight games in charge, including from the start against Gillingham in the Carabao Cup and Everton in the Premier League, as the Spaniard enjoyed a winning start to life at Wolves.
Hodge’s performances and attitude have now been rewarded, with the signing of a new long-term contract at Molineux.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “Scott Sellars deserves the credit for this one. He’s a player he knew from his time at Man City and he knew the family well. When Scott found out the possibility he could join us, even with the injury Joe had, he thought it was a move which would benefit the club, so actively pushed it, and he was right.
“Joe’s character is unbelievable. He’s a quiet boy, he doesn’t like any of the fuss, and is just very serious about his football. A person like that, when they get opportunities, they’re in a position to take them because they’re mentally so strong and stable.
“From his first session, Julen’s been impressed with Joe, he’s shown he’s part of his plans. He’s shown he trusts Joe and the other players trust him which is really important. Joe’s still young, he’s got to stay humble and stay patient, because he’s going to be a big, important part of our squad going forward.”
