Jordan James has explained his decision to join Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, revealing he turned down potential Premier League moves to commit to the Championship club's promotion ambitions. The midfielder, who arrived from French side Rennes, is expected to feature for Wales in their Nations League opener against Portugal in Lisbon on Thursday night.
James was named player of the year during a previous loan spell at Leicester City, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances before their relegation to League One. Despite that success attracting top-flight attention, his focus is now firmly on Molineux. "That ship sailed I think," James said of the Premier League interest. He added, "Leicester is a club that I love dearly," but his path has led him to Wolverhampton.
Building momentum
Since his arrival, the 22-year-old has made six substitute appearances in the league for Gary O'Neil's side and started in the EFL Cup. Wolves hold an option to make the move permanent next summer, a sign of their belief in his long-term value. His integration comes as the team seeks consistency, having recorded one win, one draw, and three defeats in their last five Championship outings. That run includes a vital 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion last weekend, where Fer López scored the winner, but also back-to-back losses prior to that derby victory.
The squad's current top scorer is Fer López with four goals, though they will be without the experienced Raúl Jiménez for the foreseeable future due to injury. James will be aiming to add to the attacking options as Wolves prepare for their next challenge, an away trip to face Middlesbrough on 10 October. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on the club's fixtures page, while the latest squad information details the full roster available to the manager.
For James, the immediate priority is international duty before returning to help solidify Wolves' league position. His commitment to the project at Molineux is clear, with the club's option to buy providing a potential long-term resolution for both parties.
