Wolves have bolstered their defensive ranks with the signing of Jackson Tchatchoua from Serie A side Hellas Verona. The 23-year-old Cameroon international has joined the Premier League club on a five-year deal, with an option to extend for a further year, in a transfer valued at approximately €12.5 million (£10.8m).
A Versatile and Pace-Driven Defender
Jackson Tchatchoua brings versatility and blistering pace to Molineux. Recognized as the fastest player in Serie A last season with a top speed of 36.3 km/h, Tchatchoua is primarily a right-wing-back but has also demonstrated his ability to play as a traditional right-back, right midfielder, or even on the left flank. His adaptability across six different positions makes him a valuable asset for Wolves manager Vitor Pereira, who is looking to replace the departed Nelson Semedo, the club’s former captain who moved to Fenerbahçe earlier this summer.
The Transfer Saga
Wolves’ pursuit of Tchatchoua began in early July as they sought a replacement for Semedo, whose contract expired in June. The club faced challenges in the transfer market, missing out on targets like Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez and UD Almería’s Marc Pubill, who joined Atletico Madrid. Despite interest from clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Everton, Galatasaray, Olympique Marseille, and Italian giants Napoli, Inter, and AC Milan, Wolves secured Tchatchoua’s signature after a €12m offer was accepted by Verona. The deal was finalized swiftly, with personal terms agreed at approximately £36,000 per week—a significant saving compared to Semedo’s reported £100,000 weekly wage.
🟠⚫️🐺 Official, confirmed. Jackson Tchatchoua joins Wolves as new right back on deal worth €12.5m fee from Verona. pic.twitter.com/ZWZNbRR83v
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 19, 2025
Tchatchoua’s Ambition
In his first interview with Wolves’ official website, Tchatchoua expressed his excitement about fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing in the Premier League. “I feel good. I feel happy to be here and I’m excited,” he said. “The Premier League is one of my dreams and it’s one step that I want to do in my life, and also the history of the club, the stadium, the fans, this convinced me.” He highlighted his time in Serie A as ideal preparation, noting, “In Italy, you have a lot of exertions, because every match is difficult. I think it’s a good step before the Premier League.”
Impact on Wolves’ Squad
Tchatchoua’s arrival adds much-needed depth and competition to Wolves’ right-wing-back position, where Ki-Jana Hoever and Rodrigo Gomes have been vying for starting roles. Hoever started throughout pre-season, but his performances have not fully convinced fans, and Gomes’ versatility may see him deployed elsewhere. Tchatchoua’s pace, dribbling ability, and capacity to win possession high up the pitch make him an ideal fit for Pereira’s system, which emphasizes transition play and attacking contributions from wide areas. However, his passing accuracy and touches per 90 minutes rank in the lower percentiles among European full-backs, suggesting there may be areas for improvement as he adapts to the Premier League’s intensity.
