Rayan Ait-Nouri has played his final match for Wolves, having now made a permanent switch to Manchester City.
Below, wolves.co.uk reflects on the Algerian’s Wolves journey which spanned five years and five managers, bringing 12 goals and 157 appearances for the Old Gold.
4th October 2020 | A 19-year-old Ait-Nouri made his move to Molineux initially on loan from Ligue 1 side Angers, leaving his home nation of France for the first time.
30th October 2020 | The youngster enjoyed a dream start to life in England, sweeping home impressively to set Wolves on their way to a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, which put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side joint top of the Premier League.
12th January 2021 | Ait-Nouri would become known for his assists at Wolves and his first came against Everton at Molineux, as he set up Ruben Neves to net in a 2-1 reverse.
23rd May 2021 | Following a first season played behind closed doors, Ait-Nouri experienced playing in front of Wolves fans, albeit in limited numbers, for the final game of the 2020/21 season against Manchester United.
9th July 2021 | Having impressed during his loan, Ait-Nouri signed for Wolves permanently as the club moved into a new era under Bruno Lage.
22nd August 2021 | Ait-Nouri experienced playing in front of a full Molineux for the first time the following August. The defender came off the bench as Wolves took on Tottenham Hotspur after the Covid-19 pandemic.
4th December 2021 | Over the years Ait-Nouri had a knack of keeping the ever-dangerous Mohamed Salah quiet. One of his best showings came in December 2021.
15th January 2022 | Wolves were flying in January 2022 and Ait-Nouri was enjoying his football. He followed up an FA Cup assist against Sheffield United that month with another two against Southampton in the Premier League.
15th May 2022 | The full-back bagged Wolves’ final Molineux goal of the 2021/22 with his head in front of the South Bank, earning the Old Gold a draw with Norwich City.
26th December 2022 | The momentum for Wolves’ survival mission under Julen Lopetegui began at Goodison Park. Ait-Nouri’s last-gasp winner against Everton earned Wolves their first win under the Spaniard and sparked wild scenes of celebration.
6th January 2023 | That Everton strike, as well as a goal in Lopetegui’s first Wolves game against Gillingham in the Carabao Cup, saw Ait-Nouri voted the club’s Player of the Month for December by supporters.
5th August 2023 | The greatest pre-season goal? Ait-Nouri’s angled volley from a Pablo Sarabia corner against Stade Rennais would have been remembered for years had it been in a competitive game.
30th December 2023 | Ait-Nouri had a new lease of life at wing-back under Gary O’Neil. The Algerian celebrated a win over Everton with good friend Joao Gomes before departing for Africa Cup of Nations duty with his country.
4th February 2024 | Ait-Nouri made it 100 not out for Wolves and celebrated the milestone with a big win at Chelsea. Although his shot was given as an Axel Disasi own goal, he could still enjoy a 4-2 win.
9th March 2024 | A first goal of the 2023/24 goal finally arrived against Fulham. The defender fired into the roof of the net to set Wolves on their way to victory at Molineux.
2nd April 2024 | With injuries hitting Wolves in the spring of 2024, Ait-Nouri continued to come to the fore, with his header at Burnley earning his side a point.
26th October 2024 | Although he’d already been involved in four goals by this point, Ait-Nouri’s strike at Brighton & Hove Albion was the first significant one last season. He fired home to start a fight back from two goals down to earn a late point.
29th December 2024 | Wolves turned their season around under Vitor Pereira and one of the early positive signs was a draw at Tottenham Hotspur. Ait-Nouri set up Hee Chan Hwang and Jorgen Strand Larsen for both goals.
13th April 2025 | In the return fixture with Spurs Ait-Nouri was Wolves were flying. The Algerian scored his final goal for the club and added a further assist for Strand Larsen. That was part of the club’s six-match winning run and helped earn Ait-Nouri a Premier League Player of the Month nomination.
25th May 2025 | For one final time. Ait-Nouri played his last game for Wolves on the final day against Brentford – a 1-1 draw at Molineux.
