RUBEN Rodrigues has made a big impression at each of the English clubs he has represented – and now plans to do the same at Bolton Wanderers.
The skilful midfielder boasts an impressive goal and assist record during his time with Oxford United and Notts County and says he returns from a short spell in Brazil with “unfinished business” in the EFL and a desire to get back to the Championship.
But what do we know about the Whites’ sixth signing of January, and what can we expect from him at the Toughsheet Stadium?
1. Rodrigues was born in Portugal but grew up in the Netherlands and was encouraged to play football at the age of eight by a painter who was working at a neighbouring house.
2. The midfielder was kicked out by Den Bosch as a teenager after falling in with the wrong crowd. Detentions at school also forced him to miss training sessions. "I was young, made mistakes and I learned from it,” he said in a later interview.
3. Dubbed ‘King of the Nutmegs’ during his time at Notts County, Rodrigues reckons that the intricate skill has naturally become a part of his game.
"It's not taking the mick out of the opponents, sometimes it's made easier for me if they open their legs - it's an easier pass or dribble, he said.
"It's in a fraction of a second that I decide to do it because you never know when the player's legs will be open."
4. Rodrigues has scored 10 goals and supplied 12 assists in the Dutch top-flight for Den Bosch – who had by then forgiven and forgotten his earlier misdemeanours – when he decided to take up an offer from County in the National League.
5. His nine goals in 54 appearances helped fire Oxford United to promotion in the 2023/24 season, culminating in a play-off final win against Wanderers. He created both goals on the day for Jacob Murphy.
6. Rodrigues is naturally two-footed and can play across the front line, as a number 10 or in either of the wing positions. He lists Neymar Jnr, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as his favourite footballers to watch.
7. Rúben Rodrigues made his Eerste Divisie debut for FC Den Bosch on August 17, 2018. He was 22 years old.
8. He became the first Portuguese player in Notts County’s history when he signed for them in August 2020. The Magpies were one of the clubs who had enquired about bringing him back to English football this month.
9. Rodrigues takes on the shirt number 27, last worn by Tyler Miller and Randell Williams at Wanderers. Other notable exponents of the number 27 shirt were Chung-Yong Lee, Akinori Nishizawa and Franck Passi.
10. If he wasn’t a footballer, Rodrigues reckons he would be a salesman. “I like to socialise and meet people,” he said.
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