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Wolverhampton Wanderers have strengthened their defensive options with the signing of experienced centre back Craig Dawson.
The 32-year-old joins on a two-and-a-half-year deal from fellow Premier League side West Ham United, where he has spent the past three years, taking his top flight appearances to 246.
A committed central defender, Dawson’s professional career began with his hometown club of AFC 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 – he has 52 career goals to his name – 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 FC during 2019/20, but after the club’s relegation to the Championship, he was snapped up by the Hammers, initially on loan in 2020.
Having helped West Ham into the UEFA Europa League, the move was made permanent, and on the European stage he flourished last season, impressing in their journey to the semifinal, which led to a place in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Year.
During that European campaign, Dawson caught the eye of now Wolves head coach Julen Lopetegui, whose Sevilla FC side were beaten over two legs by West Ham United, with the central defender shining in both legs of the last 16 victory.
The defender has continued to feature this term, racking up 13 appearances and winning goal at FK Silkeborg in the UEFA Europa Conference League, before making the switch to Molineux.
Welcome to the pack, @craigdawson__15!
🐺✍️ pic.twitter.com/HSEfIx53Oz
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 22, 2023
