Wolves promotion hero signs for new club after almost two years out of the game

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Kevin McDonald has found a new club after recovering from a kidney transplant he underwent last year.

The Scot, who made 126 appearances for Wolves between 2013 and 2016, signed for Dundee United this week having been without a club for six months following the expiry of his contract with Fulham at the end of last season.

McDonald has not played a senior game of football since July 2020 following the deterioration of the chronic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, from which he suffers.

In May 2021 he received a new kidney from his brother, Fraser, before undergoing a gruelling recovery period at the beginning of which he said he "could hardly move".

Following the arduous process of building his fitness back up, McDonald began training with Dundee United - local rivals of the team with whom he began his career, Dundee - in January, and signed a contract with the Scottish club this week to resume his playing career.

The midfielder was put straight into the matchday squad for Tuesday night's derby with Dundee, although he was not called off the bench during the goalless draw.

McDonald enjoyed a successful three-year spell at Molineux by helping Wolves gain promotion to the Championship in 2013/14 as the club set a points record for League One.

The 32-year-old was awarded both the Fans' and Players' Player of the Year in his first season, as well as being named in the third tier PFA Team of the Year.

McDonald left Wolves in 2016 to join Fulham, where he won promotion to the Premier League twice via the Championship play-offs.