Craig Dawson strengthened Wolves’ defensive options when the experienced centre back moved to Molineux in January 2023.

A committed defender, Dawson’s professional career began with his hometown club of Rochdale back in 2009, where his impressive performances saw him swap League One for the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.

Seven of Dawson’s eight seasons across the West Midlands came in the top flight, where he gained a reputation as a threat from set pieces, as well as his committed defending at the other end of the pitch.

While at the Hawthorns, Dawson turned out 15 times for England’s under-21s side, scoring six times, and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics in London.

After Albion, the defender’s career progressed into a campaign with Watford during 2019/20, but after the club’s relegation to the Championship, he was snapped up by the West Ham United, who he helped into the Europa League. On the European stage he flourished, impressing in their journey to the semi-final, which led to a place in the Europa League Team of the Year.

The defender continued to feature for the Hammers during the first half of the 2022/23 season, racking up 13 appearances and winning goal at Silkeborg in the Europa Conference League, before making the switch to Molineux.

In his first 18 months in Old Gold, Dawson was influential tightening up the defence, as well as finding the net on his debut in a 3-0 win over Liverpool at Molineux. The centre-back also helped Wolves to their first win at The Hawthorns – his former home stadium – in almost 30 years.