John Ruddy

Cambridge United

Ruddy began his football career at Cambridge United, where his team-mates gave him the nickname "The Iceman". He made his professional debut in the final match of the 2003–04 season at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road stadium on 8 May 2004, keeping a clean sheet and saving a penalty. Ruddy earned his place as Cambridge's first-choice keeper in the 2004–05 season, making 38 appearances in a season that saw the U's relegated from League Two after finishing bottom with 30 points. This was despite Ruddy's efforts, which included keeping nine clean sheets and conceding just 45 goals.

Everton

Ruddy had two trials at Manchester United in November 2004, before moving to Everton in the summer of 2005 for a fee of around £250,000 that would rise depending on appearances. He was called into the England Under-19 squad in 2005 after being scouted by England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence and was touted by his manager David Moyes as a future England goalkeeper. In September 2005, Ruddy signed for Walsall on loan; he made five appearances in League One before returning to Everton. Loan spells with Rushden & Diamonds and Chester City followed. Ruddy made his first and only appearance for Everton in February 2006 in unusual circumstances. Nine minutes into the match against Blackburn Rovers, Iain Turner was sent off for handling outside the area. Since Turner was substituting for injured first- and second-choice keepers Nigel Martyn and Richard Wright, it…

On 16 May 2012, Ruddy received his first senior international call-up when Roy Hodgson selected him as a member of the England squad for UEFA Euro 2012. However, a broken finger ruled him out of the tournament, and Jack Butland was called up to replace him. Ruddy was called up for the friendly against Italy in Bern, Switzerland, on 10 August 2012, along with Butland and Joe Hart. He came on for Butland at half-time to make his senior England debut, and made some key saves as England won the match 2–1, keeping a clean sheet in his first England appearance after Butland conceded in the first half. Ruddy was not included in Hodgson's 2014 World Cup squad, with Hart, Fraser Forster, and Ben Foster selected instead. However, he was named on the seven-man standby list.

Club

As of match played 1 July 2024

International

As of match played 15 August 2012

Ruddy was born in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, where he attended St Ivo School. He grew up as a fan of Manchester United.