"It's been very good so far": Ruben Rodrigues signs 12-month extension to stay at Bolton Wanderers
20.08.26, 14:00 Updated 20.08.26, 15:35 3 Minute Read
Matt Bottomley
In good news for Bolton Wanderers, the club have exercised the 12-month clause in the contract of Ruben Rodrigues's contract, extending the Portuguese midfielder's stay at the club.
Rodrigues's original contract was due to end this season, but the 30-year-old has been impressive ever since his arrival in January. To extend the midfielder's contract was no-brainer for Bolton, and something fans had been pleading the club to do since the beginning of summer.
📝 We are delighted to announce that Ruben Rodrigues has signed a new contract with the club, running until June 2028.
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 20, 2026
You just love to see it! 😍#bwfc
Last season, Rodrigues netted four goals and claimed two assists, helping the Wanderers to secure promotion to the Championship. His performances, particularly in the play-off final where the midfielder would score twice, helped him to become a real part of the team and a fan favourite in the stands.
Once a part of the Oxford United side that ripped the Whites apart at Wembley in 2024, Rodrigues is now firmly on the right side of Wanderers fans.
“To finally do that and to get the appreciation of wanting me to stay longer is a very nice thing to say. It's been very good so far. Right now, I have a little minor setback but hopefully I can be back on the pitch soon and I've definitely enjoyed my time here.”Ruben Rodrigues
Rodrigues was a star in pre-season, leading Bolton fans to hope he would be able to keep that form going, being a huge part of the team. Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, he suffered ligament damage in Bolton's first competitive game of the season, leaving him side-lined until at least September.
Despite the blow, Rodrigues remains full of confidence, and expects to have an impact for the team as soon as he gets back onto the pitch for the Whites.
“I feel like I'm getting fitter every year, and I feel like I'm getting better every year. I hope a bare minimum two more years here and who knows whatever happens in the future.”Ruben Rodrigues
In Rodrigues only full season at Championship level, the midfielder played 39 times for Oxford, scoring four times. In Des Buckingham's team, the Portuguese played in a more deeper role, sometimes deployed out wide.
In Steven Schumacher's team, the 30-year-old has mainly been used centrally, something expected to continue this season. The role give Rodrigues more freedom to not only attack, but create, dribble and spread the ball to the attacking players around him.
John McAtee took on the role against Preston North End and played well, but Rodrigues will hope to push his counterpart for minutes upon his return.
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Matt Bottomley A lifelong Bolton Wanderers fan, this club is the reason I began my journalism career. Since sitting in the stands as a kid over 20 years ago, I have gone on to work for the likes of the BBC and The Telegraph before everything led me back to here, to the football club I love.
