The young goalkeeper from Diss joined the Club's academy aged 9 and was named as a substitute for the final game of the 2007/08 season at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday. In summer 2008, Rudd signed a professional contract with the Canaries.

Declan was the first Norwich City player to play at the new Wembley stadium in April 2007, for England U16s against his Spanish counterparts, afterwards saying: "It is really unbelievable to play there for an England team. I just can't find the words to describe it properly. To be the first Norwich player to play there is such an honour and one that I will never forget. I used to watch Norwich every week when I was younger so I was very proud."

He has gone on to represent England at under-17s level, as well as under-16s.

Rudd was originally spotted by City's youth recruitment officer Colin Watts playing for local side Bressingham as a striker, at the age of eight-year-old.

"I think my size helped me," said Rudd speaking to Club's official matchday programme, 'On The Ball', back in October 2007. "I was quite tall for my age and I've always enjoyed playing in goal in the past. But the coaches at my old club always felt I was better outfield. It was only at Norwich when they said I wouldn't make it as a striker that I became a goalkeeper."