Wolves fans are waiting patiently to see Fer Lopez in action following the 21-year-old’s transfer.
The Spaniard became Wolves’ first signing of the summer transfer window, arriving from Celta Vigo.
It was only last summer that the Old Gold dealt with the Spanish club, signing Jorgen Strand Larsen on an initial loan, a deal that has now been made permanent.
Strand Larsen was key to Wolves signing Lopez, who will be eager to follow in his former teammate’s footsteps in his first season in England.
Fer Lopez handed Joao Moutinho’s former squad number
It’s not only Strand Larsen that Lopez will want to emulate during his first year at Wolves.
While enjoying his time on Wolves’ pre-season training camp in Portugal, Lopez was handed his official squad number, taking the 28 shirt.
Tawanda Chirewa was allocated the number last season; however, he spent the year on loan at Derby County and then Huddersfield Town.
Before Chirewa, the owner of Lopez’s new shirt was Joao Moutinho, Nuno Espirito Santo’s midfield maestro, who wore the number for five seasons in Old Gold.
Wolves have now given Lopez the opportunity to follow in Moutinho’s footsteps to build an admirable legacy at Molineux with the number 28 on his back.
There were few players as instrumental to Wolves’ rise after promotion as Moutinho, who is still orchestrating things at the age of 38, representing Braga where he is contracted until next summer.
Lopez would love to follow Moutinho’s path, who played a huge part in firing Wolves to the Europa League during his debut season in England, contributing to nine Premier League goals in 2018/19.
Previous wearers of Wolves’ number 28 shirt
When it comes to the number 28 at Wolves, the image is of Moutinho pulling the strings in midfield alongside Ruben Neves.
Now, Lopez will take on the duty, becoming the tenth Wolves player to sport the squad number.
| Player | Seasons | Appearances |
| Fer Lopez | 2025/26 – | – |
| Tawanda Chirewa | 2024/25 | – |
| Joao Moutinho | 2018/19 – 2022/23 | 212 |
| Sylvian Deslandes | 2015/16 – 2016/17 | 8 |
| Tongo Doumbia | 2012/13 | 35 |
| Leigh Griffiths | 2010/11 – 2011/12 | 31 |
| George Friend | 2008/09 – 2009/10 | 8 |
| Rohan Ricketts | 2004/05 – 2006/07 | 56 |
| Andy Marshall | 2003/04 | 1 |
| Shane Tudor | 2000/01 | 1 |
The 21-year-old is already familiar with seeing his name alongside the 28 on the back of his shirt, having worn the number at Celta Vigo.
Can Lopez become the next midfield maestro to create a legacy in the number 28? The young Spaniard will certainly hope so.