It’s official – Daniel Podence is no longer a Wolves player, after the winger sealed a move to Saudi club Al-Shabab.
There had been much speculation about Podence and his future this summer.
The player returned to Wolves following a loan spell with his former club Olympiacos last season, and the Greek giants really wanted to re-sign him as a permanent player.
But they lost out to Al-Shabab, and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis has been left frustrated by the deal, accusing Podence of being ‘difficult’ over his demands.
He will now embark on a new chapter, and Wolves’ sporting director Matt Hobbs has given his thoughts about Podence and his move.
Matt Hobbs says Daniel Podence received a ‘life-changing’ offer to play in Saudi Arabia
Eyebrows were raised earlier this summer when Podence was a surprise inclusion on Wolves’ pre-season trip to Marbella.
The winger impressed during that camp and was said to be one of the fittest players in the squad. He really impressed in training, and he also drew a lot of praise for standing up for Hwang Hee-chan against Como 1907, after the South Korean had overheard a racist remark.
Podence did not join the squad for the trip to Miami though, with an injury being given as the reason.
All the time Podence has been back at Wolves there has been speculation about his future. Gary O’Neil had wanted him to stick around, but there was seemingly always a strong chance he would still leave.
And he has indeed now left, to sign for Al-Shabab – and Matt Hobbs has given his reaction to the move, suggesting the huge earning potential was a factor in his decision.
Many Wolves fans have had the impression over the years that Podence can sometimes be a spiky and emotional character. But Hobbs also praises Podence’s conduct, saying he’s only ever had positive dealings with the player.
He told the club’s official website: “I’ve got nothing but positive words to say about Danny. All my dealings with him have been easy, even when he was in a difficult place, and when people are like that, you want to look after them when it comes to moves.
“This is a life-changing opportunity for Danny and his family and one he leaves for with our best wishes. He’s a great guy and will always receive a warm welcome back to Molineux. Now, we wish him the best of luck at Al-Shabab.”
Podence would have been a great option for Wolves
So Podence has officially brought his stint as a Wolves player to an end after four-and-a-half years.
The 28-year-old was not always consistent at Molineux. But he undoubtedly wowed supporters at times with his brilliant footwork and technical ability. He also chipped in with some important goals for the club, and was crucial towards the end of the 2022/23 season.
There is an argument to be made that Podence was one of the most naturally gifted footballers in the club’s recent history. Although he could sometimes frustrate, Podence could also do things so many others simply could not.
In the end, he wanted to move on which is a shame because he could have been a very useful option for O’Neil.
But Hobbs suggests the potential to earn big was a factor for Podence making the move – it had to have been for him to go there over Olympiacos, a club he loves dearly which is evident from his goodbye post from Monday night.