IRELAND'S new £6million man Kevin Doyle says that former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy was one of the main reasons he decided to join Premier League newcomers Wolves.

Doyle was today formally unveiled as Wolves' major summer signing, moving from Reading on a four year deal at a cost of £6m to the Molineux club, after a month-long chase for the player involving Premier League rivals Fulham and Sunderland.

"Wolves were the first club that actually came in and settled things with Reading and they were the first club I spoke to. I was expecting a long summer but Wolves were in straight away. It was nice to see hoe keen they were and when I came in and met the manager I just got on really well with him. I had a good conversation with him and it felt right," he said today.

"I'm leaving one good set of Irish lads to join another. It always makes that little bit easier to settle in when there are a few faces you recognise.

"I am delighted to get the move sorted and I can't wait to get going. I spoke to the manager and the 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 are top class and it's great to be going back into the Premier League again. I am 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 will travel to Australia next week for a pre-season programme with Wolves, with games Down Under planned for July 10 and 15. His first home game will be against Spanish outfit Real Valladolid on August 8, with the start of the new Premier League season a week later.

The striker is the second Ireland international to make a move this summer after Stephen Kelly switched from Birmingham City to Fulham earlier this month, but more of Doyle's international team-mates will be on the move in the coming weeks, as the transfer window officially opens tomorrow.

Richard Dunne is reportedly close to agreeing a deal which will see him end his nine-year stay at Manchester City and move to Sunderland, while Black Cats boss Steve Bruce will this week decide if he wants to keep Irish players Anthony Stokes, Paul McShane, Daryl Murphy and Roy O'Donovan at the Stadium of Light.

Reports in London suggest that another move could be on the cards for Robbie Keane, as Sunderland have been strongly linked with the Ireland captain and Aston Villa interested in bringing the former Coventry City man back to the midlands while Steve Finnan is certain to end his unhappy spell in Spain with Espanyol and return to the Premier League.

And Doyle's departure will raise questions about the long-term future of Stephen Hunt at Reading.

- Aidan Fitzmaurice