Richard Wright (footballer)

2.1. Ipswich Town (initial period)

Wright signed a professional contract with Ipswich Town on 2 January 1995, following his apprenticeship with the club. He made his senior debut as a 17-year-old in May 1995, in a 2-0 home victory against Coventry City. This season concluded with Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League. For the next four seasons, Ipswich consistently reached the First Division play-offs but failed to secure promotion.

Wright played a pivotal role in Ipswich's successful 1999-2000 season, which saw the club finally gain promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs on their fifth attempt. In the 2000 Football League First Division play-off final against Barnsley on 29 May 2000, Ipswich secured a 4-2 victory. During the match, Wright's long goal kick led to Richard Naylor scoring to put Ipswich 2-1 ahead, following a flick-on by Marcus Stewart. Despite this, Wright was involved in an unfortunate moment when a shot rebounded off the crossbar, hit him, and resulted in an own goal. Later, he conceded a penalty kick by fouling Craig Hignett but redeemed himself by saving the subsequent shot from Darren Barnard.

In Ipswich's first season back in the top flight, Wright's performances were instrumental in guiding them to a remarkable 5th-place finish, which earned them qualification for the UEFA Cup.

2.2. Arsenal

On 5 July 2001, Wright transferred to Arsenal for a fee of 2.00 M GBP, signing a five-year contract. Manager Arsène Wenger viewed him as a long-term successor to the experienced goalkeeper David Seaman and a more competitive option than the previous second-choice goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who subsequently left the club.

Wright made his Arsenal debut on 29 September 2001, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 away victory against Derby County at Pride Park, a result that propelled Arsenal to the top of the league table. In his UEFA Champions League debut against Panathinaikos, he notably saved a penalty from Angelos Basinas, contributing to a 2-1 win.

Despite an injury to David Seaman, which provided Wright with an extended run in the first team, he struggled to fully capitalize on the opportunity. On 4 November, in a 4-2 home defeat to Charlton Athletic, he punched the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a shot from Paul Konchesky. Two weeks later, he was at fault for Gus Poyet's injury-time equalizer in the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Four days after that, he was substituted at halftime due to injury during a Champions League match away to Deportivo de La Coruña, with youth goalkeeper Stuart Taylor replacing him in the 2-0 defeat.

Following these events, Wright slipped to third choice behind Taylor and primarily featured in FA Cup matches for the remainder of the season, including the semi-final against Middlesbrough. However, David Seaman returned to start in the 2002 FA Cup Final, which Arsenal won 2-0 against Chelsea. Wright made his final appearance for Arsenal on the last day of the 2001-02 season, a 4-3 victory over Everton. Arsène Wenger intentionally started him in this match to ensure he reached 10 league appearances, thereby qualifying him for a Premier League winners' medal. Wright was substituted late in the game for Stuart Taylor, ensuring Taylor also reached 10 appearances and received a medal. In total, Wright made 22 appearances for Arsenal.

2.3. Everton

After Arsenal extended David Seaman's contract for another year, Richard Wright sought opportunities for regular first-team football elsewhere. On 24 July 2002, he transferred to Everton for an initial fee of 3.50 M GBP, with the potential to rise by an additional 1.00 M GBP based on a specified number of appearances.

In his Goodison Park debut on 17 August, a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, Wright made an error that gifted a goal to Les Ferdinand. However, just a week later, he redeemed himself by saving a penalty kick from Kevin Phillips in a 1-0 away victory against Sunderland. After the season concluded, on 13 June 2003 (a Friday the 13th), Wright suffered a bizarre freak accident when he fell from his loft, resulting in a shoulder injury.

In August 2003, Everton signed veteran goalkeeper Nigel Martyn. On 13 September, Wright was forced off due to injury after 26 minutes in an eventual 2-2 draw against Newcastle United. He subsequently underwent knee surgery and missed the remainder of the season.

During the 2005-06 season, Nigel Martyn faced an injury spell, but Wright himself was injured shortly after while warming up for a match against Chelsea on 8 February 2006. Despite a clear sign instructing players to use temporary goals for warm-ups, he ignored the warning and fell onto the sign, injuring his ankle. Even after Martyn's retirement, Wright remained second-choice behind new arrival Tim Howard for the 2006-07 season. He played a total of 71 games for Everton, but only two in his final campaign with the club.

2.4. West Ham United and Southampton (loan)

Richard Wright was released by Everton at the end of the 2006-07 season. He then signed for West Ham United on 4 July 2007. As second-choice goalkeeper behind Robert Green, he made his Hammers debut on 28 August in a 2-1 away victory against Bristol Rovers in the second round of the League Cup.

On 20 March 2008, having only played two further League Cup matches for West Ham, Wright joined Southampton of the Championship on a month's loan. This move was necessitated by injuries to Southampton's first three goalkeepers. Two days later, he made his debut for Southampton in a goalless home draw against Coventry City. On 18 April, his loan spell was extended until the end of the 2007-08 season. He concluded his loan with a total of seven appearances for Southampton.

2.5. Return to Ipswich Town

Richard Wright rejoined his boyhood club, Ipswich Town, on 21 July 2008 for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year contract with an option for a third year. On 23 September, he made his 300th club appearance for Ipswich in a 4-1 loss against Wigan Athletic in the third round of the League Cup.

His consistently strong performances for Ipswich during the 2008-09 season earned him both the Players' Player of the Season and Supporters' Player of the Season awards. However, on 1 December 2009, Wright was sidelined for up to four months after suffering a knee injury during a 2-1 victory against Cardiff City. He was subsequently released by Ipswich at the end of the 2009-10 season.

2.6. Sheffield United

Following a brief trial period, Richard Wright joined Sheffield United on a free transfer in September 2010, initially on a four-month short-term deal that was later extended until the end of the season. However, Wright's tenure at Bramall Lane was significantly hampered by injuries, leading him to spend the majority of his time on the sidelines. He made only two starts for the club, both times being withdrawn midway through the game due to recurring injuries. His contract with Sheffield United was terminated by mutual consent in early April 2011.

2.7. Third spell at Ipswich Town

Richard Wright returned to Ipswich Town in the summer of 2011 to train with the club. After undergoing trials at other clubs, he impressed sufficiently during his training spell with Ipswich to earn a call-up to the reserves, where he featured in a match against Colchester United.

Wright officially re-signed for Ipswich Town for his third spell on 23 November 2011. Earlier in the week, he had publicly expressed his strong desire to return to the club, stating, "I love Ipswich Town Football Club, I don't hide that. I think everyone knows that, but at the moment there's nothing there for me - simple as that, you just get on with it and look elsewhere. If anything changed and something came up (at Ipswich) then I'd be a liar to say I wouldn't consider it because I would." In his third debut for the club, on 26 November 2011, Wright conceded three goals in a 3-2 home defeat to Reading.

2.8. Preston North End

On 1 July 2012, Richard Wright signed with Preston North End. However, his stay at the club was remarkably brief; he left just one week into pre-season training without making any appearances for the club, citing homesickness as the reason for his departure.

2.9. Manchester City

Following a trial with Colchester United, Richard Wright signed for Manchester City on 30 August 2012, completing a free transfer and agreeing to a one-year contract. On 10 July 2013, Wright signed a one-year extension with City. Despite not making a single competitive appearance for the club in either season, he was awarded a new contract for the 2014-15 season, at the expense of second-choice goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon. The contract was extended by one year for the fourth consecutive season in summer 2015.

Wright remained on the books of Manchester City for a total of four years but never made a first-team competitive appearance during this period. He announced his retirement from professional football on 17 May 2016. However, he stayed with the club and transitioned into a coaching role under new manager Pep Guardiola.

7.1. Club

7.2. International