Jordan James says he snubbed Premier League to join Wolves

Jordan James turned down chances to play in the Premier League to join Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Wales midfielder said he wanted Wolves, and his plan is to reach the top flight with them.

James, 22, is on loan at Wolves from French club Rennes. The deal includes an option to buy when the loan ends next summer, he told BBC Sport.

Wolves announced the signing on 19 August. He arrived as the Championship Young Player of the Season, an award for the best young player in England's second tier.

He spent last season on loan at Leicester City. He scored 11 goals in 34 appearances and was named the club's player of the year. Leicester still went down. They were relegated to League One, the third tier.

Before that Leicester move, James was heavily linked with Wrexham. That talk dragged on for months. He said it ended in the summer of 2025.

His start at Wolves has been patient. He has made six league appearances, all from the bench. His only starts this season have come in the EFL Cup, the early-season knockout competition for clubs in England.

He came on late in Wolves' 4-2 defeat at West Ham United on 1 September. He was booked in the 86th minute for a bad foul.

Wolves staff say the desire was mutual. Matt Jackson, a club official, said James made it clear straight away that Wolves was the destination he wanted, according to Wolves. James said he believed the squad had enough talent to do something special this season.

For fans, this means a slow burn. A talented young midfielder has chosen the longer road. He wants promotion, not a bit-part role higher up.

That road now runs through two familiar stops. James has returned to the Wales squad after missing June friendlies against Ghana and Romania through injury. At club level, Wolves were due to face Birmingham City in the Championship on Sunday, billed as a return to his home city.