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Raul Jimenez has returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers three years after leaving the club.
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The Mexican striker has become one of Wolves’ most beloved modern-day figures, with his return sparking an extraordinary reaction from supporters.
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Jimenez scored 40 Premier League goals for Wolves and 57 goals in all competitions during his first spell.
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At 35, questions remain over whether he can still deliver on the pitch, but his emotional value to the club is already undeniable.
August 14, (THEWILL) — Raul Jimenez’s return to Wolverhampton Wanderers is much more than another summer transfer.
For Wolves supporters, the Mexican striker’s comeback represents a return to a period when the club was competing near the top end of the Premier League, playing European football and creating memories that remain deeply embedded in the identity of Molineux.
Three years after leaving, Jimenez is back — and the reaction has been extraordinary.
Here are seven reasons why the 35-year-old’s return has captured the imagination of Wolves supporters.
1. He Represents Wolves’ Best Modern Era
Jimenez arrived at Wolves at a crucial moment in the club’s history. The team had just returned to the Premier League and quickly established itself as one of the division’s most exciting sides.
With Jimenez leading the attack, Wolves finished in the top seven in consecutive Premier League seasons, secured European football and defeated some of England’s biggest clubs.
For supporters, Jimenez is therefore closely associated with a period of ambition and success. His return offers a reminder of what Wolves once were — and what they hope to become again.
2. His Goals Made Him a Wolves Legend
Jimenez left an enormous statistical footprint at Molineux. He scored 40 Premier League goals for Wolves, making him the club’s leading scorer in the competition during the Premier League era. Across all competitions, he scored 57 times.
His 27-goal campaign in 2019/20 was particularly remarkable and remains one of the greatest individual scoring seasons by a Wolves player.
Only legendary figures such as Steve Bull and John Richards occupy comparable territory in the club’s scoring history.
3. European Nights Made Him Special
Jimenez was not simply a Premier League goalscorer. He was also central to Wolves’ memorable European adventure.
He scored against Crusaders, Pyunik, Torino and Slovan Bratislava, among others, as Wolves progressed through the Europa League. For supporters who travelled across Europe during that campaign, those matches became more than football games.
They became part of the club’s modern folklore. Jimenez was at the centre of many of those memories.
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4. His Injury Changed Everything
One of the most emotional chapters of Jimenez’s Wolves career came in November 2020. The striker suffered a fractured skull after colliding with Arsenal defender, David Luiz.
The injury threatened his career and forced him into a long and difficult recovery. Although Jimenez eventually returned to professional football, he never quite reproduced the extraordinary form he had shown before the injury.
Yet the ordeal strengthened his relationship with Wolves supporters. Fans followed his recovery closely and continued to support him long after his performances had changed.
5. His Departure Never Felt Like the End
Jimenez eventually left Wolves in 2023 after falling out of the first-team picture under Julen Lopetegui. His final appearance came against Everton, where he was an unused substitute as he said goodbye to the supporters.
It was an emotional ending that never seemed to fit the importance of his contribution to the club. That is partly why his return feels so significant. This time, Jimenez has the opportunity to write a happier final chapter.
6. Wolves Fans Have Embraced Him Like a Returning Hero
The reaction to Jimenez’s return has gone far beyond ordinary transfer excitement. His name has dominated Wolves’ most-engaged social media content since the signing was announced.
His shirts have also become hugely popular, with his jersey reportedly outselling last season’s most popular player by more than 250 percent.
Even at a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad, supporters chanted his name despite him not being involved. Some fans were even seen wearing Mexico shirts bearing his name.
That tells the story better than any transfer announcement could. Jimenez has not simply returned to Wolves. He has returned to a fan base that never stopped considering him one of their own.
7. At 35, Can He Still Deliver?
The biggest question is now what Jimenez can contribute on the pitch. At 35, he is no longer the striker who terrorised Premier League defences during Wolves’ best years.
But there are reasons for optimism. Jimenez remains an experienced international forward and showed during the recent World Cup that he can still contribute at the highest level, scoring three goals in four matches.
The Championship could also provide a different challenge to the Premier League.
If Wolves can create enough chances for him, Jimenez could become one of the division’s most dangerous strikers. His ability from the penalty spot could also prove valuable during a long promotion campaign.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, Jimenez’s return will not be judged only by goals. Wolves are coming off relegation and face the difficult task of rebuilding under new head coach Cesar Peixoto.
Promotion is far from guaranteed, regardless of how popular their returning No 9 becomes. But Jimenez gives the club something that statistics cannot measure: belief.
For supporters who watched Wolves rise from the Championship to European football with Jimenez at the heart of the team, his comeback feels like a connection to a better version of the club.
Steve Bull became a Wolves legend through years of service. Jimenez left, travelled elsewhere and eventually found his way back. Now he has another opportunity to create memories.
Wolves have their No 9 back — and for the supporters, that may already feel like a victory.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
