Ayr United have signed 20-year old goalkeeper Jack Ruddy on loan from English Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the season. The highly-rated stopper is available for tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash at Raith Rovers after international clearance was received this afternoon.

Manager Ian McCall said: “Jack is a boy I have known for a long time. I have spoken to 6 or 7 people in the game I trust including a former international keeper and he is extremely highly regarded. He is young however he is a Scotland under 21 internationalist and well over 6ft. He will get the opportunity on Saturday at Starks Park and after that we are hoping that him and Jordan work off each other and provide top competition for the rest of the season.”

Glasgow-born Ruddy was with Rangers as a youngster before his family relocated to southern Spain in 2010. Impressive performances for his local side led to Ruddy joining the youth ranks of second-tier side Real Murcia and secure a trial with Villareal, however, regulations preventing Spanish clubs signing foreign players under the age of 21 saw Ruddy return to the United Kingdom, signing for Bury in 2014, aged 16.

Standing at 6ft 5in, Jack made his professional debut in November 2015 in what proved to be his only appearance for the Shakers before making the switch to Molineaux for an undisclosed fee in August 2016.

Jack spent the first half of this season on loan to League 1 side Oldham Athletic where he made 5 appearances and last month Wolves handed him a contract extension until 2020 with the option of a further year. A Scotland youth internationalist, Jack made his debut for Scotland U21s in March 2017.