Raul Jimenez is coming home. Wolverhampton Wanderers officially confirmed on June 9 that the Mexican striker has rejoined the club on a free transfer, signing a 2+1 contract that could keep him at Molineux through three seasons.

The 35-year-old returns to the club where he became a fan favorite between 2019 and 2023, a spell that produced 57 goals in 166 appearances. His departure from Fulham, where his contract expired at the end of this window, means Wolves didn’t have to pay a transfer fee.

The deal structure and what it means

The 2+1 contract gives the club two guaranteed years with Jimenez, plus an option to extend for a third. That option year puts the decision-making power squarely with the club rather than the player.

Jimenez originally left Wolves for Fulham in July 2023 for a fee estimated between £5 million and £6.4 million. The fact that he’s returning on a free transfer less than three years later is a reminder of how quickly value can shift in football’s transfer market.

His return isn’t the only move Wolves have been making this summer. The club also brought in Kieran Trippier, the former England international defender, signaling that the front office is serious about squad improvement across multiple positions.

Jimenez’s journey back to Molineux

In November 2020, Jimenez suffered a fractured skull during a match against Arsenal, an injury so severe that it threatened to end his career entirely. That he then earned a transfer to Fulham and continued competing at the Premier League level for multiple seasons borders on extraordinary.

What this means for investors and the broader picture

From a financial standpoint, the zero transfer fee is the headline. The savings on the transfer fee can be redirected toward wages or other squad investments.

Wolves have explored digital partnerships in the past, including a previous sponsorship with Bitci.com, though this particular transfer carries no crypto-related elements.