Wolverhampton Wanderers have bolstered their defense by signing Stade de Reims captain, Emmanuel Agbadou, on a four-and-a-half-year contract, with an additional 12-month option.
The Ivorian defender becomes the first acquisition under new manager Vitor Pereira.
Standing at an imposing 6ft 4, Agbadou is recognized for his composure and command on the ball.
His move to Molineux follows a standout spell in Ligue 1, where he captained Reims and cemented his reputation as a reliable leader.
The Premier League club announced the transfer under the headline, “Wolves Complete Agbadou Signing.” The 27-year-old enjoyed an illustrious rise through the ranks, starting his career in Tunisia with Monastir before transitioning to Belgium’s Eupen, where he racked up 64 appearances in the Pro League.
His subsequent switch to France saw him anchor Reims’ backline, making 15 appearances this season and ending with clean sheets against Strasbourg and Monaco in December.
On the international stage, Agbadou has become a vital part of the Ivory Coast squad, starting in five of their six AFCON qualifiers and playing a key role in securing their spot in the upcoming tournament.
Wolves chairman, Jeff Shi, expressed his excitement about the defender’s signing, highlighting its importance for the club’s ambitions.
“We’re delighted to welcome Emmanuel to the club. He’s a player our recruitment team have watched for a long time, and Vitor agreed that he was the right player and the right character to strengthen our squad now.
“It was important we completed the transfer early in the window to help Vitor straight away, and, like all transfers, this one took a lot of hard work from a lot of people. I hope Emmanuel has a successful career at Wolves, and he’ll have the full support of everyone during his time here,” Shi said.
Sporting Director,Matt Hobbs, praised the defender’s attributes, emphasizing his suitability for the Premier League and his strong mentality.
“Emmanuel’s a winner and he’s driven. After the journey he’s had, he’s still unbelievably hungry. He’s the type of player the Wolves fans should love, because you’re going to get absolutely everything he’s got.
“On paper, he should suit the Premier League. There’s plenty of ticks there. Obviously, you’ve always got the settling-in period, and it is the hardest league in the world, so it can take time, but he can fall back on his key attributes being akin to the Premier League.
“The fact that he was on ours and Vitor’s lists shows that he’s well-rounded, good on the ball, physically excellent, quick, and a good personality. Then being made captain of Reims has really taken his game to the next level, and you can never have enough leaders,” Hobbs remarked.
Hobbs also stressed the importance of completing the deal early in the transfer window.
“When Vitor came in it’s the first conversation we had, to add one quick. There are so many games in January, so you can’t afford to waste a month. We have to use this month to be as efficient as possible, and we’re really excited about this signing,” he added.
Agbadou’s arrival signals Wolves’ intent to strengthen their squad under Pereira’s leadership, with the Ivorian poised to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
