Wolves have completed the signing of Sunderland defender Paul Butler for a fee of £1 million. The Republic of Ireland international passed a medical last night and has signed a three-and-a-half year deal .

Butler impressed during a five-game loan spell at Molineux before Christmas and was expected to sign a permanent contract. But manager Colin Lee was sacked and the move was put on hold because Butler was reluctant to commit himself until a new manager was appointed.

However, new manager Dave Jones was keen to complete the signing of the 28-year-old, who joined Sunderland from Bury three years ago. "I'm pleased it's all been signed, sealed and delivered," said Jones. "Paul's a very experienced player who's been in this division, knows what it takes to get out of it." Sunderland boss Peter Reid added: "He did a smashing job for us both in the first division and the Premiership. I'm sure he'll be a success at Wolves."

Butler's one and only Irish cap came last year, when he disappointed against the Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road. The Professional Footballers Association have voiced their concerns about players' safety following the abuse hurled at David Beckham as he drove home from Old Trafford on Sunday. West Ham supporters shouted obscenities and hammered on the tinted windows of the Manchester United star's Lincoln people carrier following the FA Cup tie. Beckham, who was with his wife and family, has denied allegations that he spat in the face of a West Ham fan.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, finds the whole episode deeply worrying, especially after Liverpool's Robbie Fowler was struck while on a night out. Taylor, though, is not sure what action can be taken and said: "It's just not an easy situation where there's a car which is easily identifiable. It's unfortunate that in this day and age there is always somebody ready to have a go. It happens and it's one of the unfortunate sides to the game really when people get carried away to that extent.

"It also happens when players are on a night out and it was unfortunate what happened to Robbie Fowler in Liverpool. We would not want to have the same protection for sportsman as we do have for presidents, but it is a difficult one. We may have to camouflage coaches and camouflage cars so that people have no idea who is in them, but I believe that would be a sad reflection on how bad things have got."

Joe Kinnear has left second division strugglers Oxford United after just four months as their director of football. The former Wimbledon manager took the job last October, his first role within the game since suffering a minor heart attack while Wimbledon boss.

"I have decided to take time out to look after my health and spend more time with my family," he said.