Soccer:Wolves have made a statement of intent ahead of their return to the Barclays Premier League by signing the much sought-after Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle.

The Ireland frontman has been brought in from Reading for an undisclosed fee, although reports this morning suggested he would cost Wanderers a club-record €7.6million.

According to Wolves they beat off competition from other top-flight clubs to recruit the 25-year-old, who has signed a four-year contract at Molineux.

Doyle, who signed for the Royals from Cork for a nominal fee in 2005, scored 55 goals in 163 games for the club.

The Irishman revealed he had been impressed by the swiftness of Wolves’ approach.

“Wolves were the first club that actually came in and settled things with Reading and so they were the first club I spoke to,” Doyle told www.wolves.co.uk. “I was expecting a long summer but Wolves were in straight away.

“It was nice to see how keen they were and when I came in and met the manager I just got on really well with him. I had a good easy conversation with him and it felt right.”

Doyle added: “I spoke to the manager and chief executive over a week ago and came to the training ground to see everything.

“I’ve been making my mind up over the last couple of weeks and am just really pleased the decision has been made.

“The facilities here are top class and it’s great to be going back into the Premier League again.

“I’m sad to be leaving Reading because I had some great years there but I’m going with their blessing as well which is nice. This is a fresh start.”

Doyle, who scored 18 goals in the Championship last season, is likely to form a new-look partnership with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who was even more prolific in the second tier with 25 goals last season.

Despite losing one of their star men, Reading director of football Nick Hammond claimed it was a good deal for the Royals.

“He (Doyle) has arguably been one of the club’s best ever signings, in terms of what he produced on the pitch, the value for money he gave us, and now the fact he has been sold for a club-record fee,” he told www.readingfc.co.uk.

“The point in time arrived where it was the right opportunity for him and the right deal for the club as well.

“I have already offered my best wishes and I am sure the supporters will be doing the same to a player who rightly earned their respect.

“Lastly, it is important from my own point of view to say that Wolves, and in particular their chief executive Jez Moxey, have been a pleasure to deal with and very straightforward. They have got themselves a top player.”