Joao Virginia

Wolves strengthened their goalkeeper department with the signing of Joao Virginia from Sporting CP during the summer of 2026.

Virginia agreed a three-year deal to become the second new stopper to arrive at Molineux during the summer following John Ruddy’s return, and brought ten years of experience in the English game with him.

The Portuguese joined Arsenal as a teenager and spent three years within their academy, qualifying him for the EFL homegrown rule, before he moved to Everton to turn professional.

Virginia’s senior debut for the Toffees arrived in September 2020 in the Carabao Cup, and both his Premier League and FA Cup bows followed later that season against Burnley and Manchester City respectively.

While on loan at Reading, Virginia experienced the Championship for the first time and played at Molineux in a Carabao Cup tie, while he also spent time on loan at Sporting, where he won the Taca de Liga, and Cambuur in the Eredivisie.

During the 2025/26 season, his return to Lisbon spelled the end of his time in the UK and he played seven times, once in the Champions League, but after 12 months joined Cesar Peixoto’s group.