Post by QPR Report on Jun 30, 2009 22:40:17 GMT
BBC World Cup was key to Wolves move - Doyle
Wolves have signed striker Kevin Doyle from Reading for a club record fee believed to be about £6.5m.
The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international had been linked with other top-flight clubs but has signed a four-year deal with the Molineux side.
"Wolves were the first club that came in and settled things with Reading and so they were the first club I spoke to," he told the Wolves website.
"I was expecting a long summer but Wolves were in straightaway."
Doyle scored 18 goals in the Championship last season but failed to steer Reading to promotion as they finished fourth but were beaten by Burnley in the play-off semi-finals.
Doyle is a coup for Wolves - McCarthy
He becomes manager Mick McCarthy's third summer signing following the arrivals of midfielder Nenad Milijas and keeper Marcus Hahnemann.
"I'm delighted to get the move sorted and can't wait to get going," added Doyle.
"I spoke to the manager and chief executive Jez Moxey 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.
606: DEBATE
What are your thoughts on the signing of Doyle?
"The facilities here are top class and it's great to be going back into the Premier League again."
Doyle had a stint in the Premier League with Reading and scored 13 goals in 32 outings in the 2006/07 campaign.
But he notched just eight in 36 the following season as the Royals were relegated.
He added: "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."
BBC
Burnley capture Fletcher for £3m
Fletcher's performances for Hibs have been much praised
Burnley have signed Scotland striker Steven Fletcher for a club record fee of £3m from Hibernian.
The English club's website stated: "The highly-rated 22-year-old has agreed a four-year deal at Turf Moor."
Fletcher believes he will grow as a player under Owen Coyle, who previously managed St Johnstone and Falkirk.
"As soon as I heard that Burnley were after me, and knowing Owen Coyle as I do, I thought this was the right place to develop my career," he said.
"The opportunity came along in January for me to join Celtic, but Hibs did not think it was the right time to move on.
"When the chance arrived to come to the Premier League and play for a club like Burnley, I was glad they accepted that and let me come down."
It will be a blow for Hibs to lose such a quality player, but personally I think he is going just a bit early
Former Hibernian striker Keith Wright
New Hibs manager John Hughes had hoped to persuade Fletcher, who is a product of the club's youth system and has four Scotland caps, to stay at Easter Road.
But the striker, who had four years of his Hibs contract to run, had been vocal about his desire to further his career in England's top flight.
When Celtic failed with what the Glasgow club described as "substantial offers", Fletcher's agent said the player felt "let down" by Hibs.
Now he will join Coyle, who was linked with the Celtic manager's job this summer, as he leads promoted Burnley into the Premier League.
Fletcher scored 52 goals in nearly 190 appearances for Hibs and scored Scotland's winning goal in April's World Cup qualifying match against Iceland at Hampden.
He was also named as young player of the year by both the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football Writers' Association.
But former Hibs striker Keith Wright believes Fletcher may find it tough to make an immediate impact in England's top flight.
Fletcher leaving too early - Wright
"It will be a blow for Hibs to lose such a quality player, but personally I think he is going just a bit early," Wright told BBC Scotland.
"I think he's still got a bit to learn before going down south and I don't know if he will go there and play every week."
Wright thought that the money earned could be a blessing in disguise for Hughes.
"As long as Yogi is getting part of the money to bring in players that he has earmarked and who can score goals, it might not be a bad thing," he said.
Martin Paterson and Chris Eagles share the previous Burnley transfer record, both costing around £1.5m last summer.
Fletcher became Coyle's second signing of Tuesday, Burnley having earlier completed a £500,000 deal with Derby County for defender Tyrone Mears.
Wolves have signed striker Kevin Doyle from Reading for a club record fee believed to be about £6.5m.
The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international had been linked with other top-flight clubs but has signed a four-year deal with the Molineux side.
"Wolves were the first club that came in and settled things with Reading and so they were the first club I spoke to," he told the Wolves website.
"I was expecting a long summer but Wolves were in straightaway."
Doyle scored 18 goals in the Championship last season but failed to steer Reading to promotion as they finished fourth but were beaten by Burnley in the play-off semi-finals.
Doyle is a coup for Wolves - McCarthy
He becomes manager Mick McCarthy's third summer signing following the arrivals of midfielder Nenad Milijas and keeper Marcus Hahnemann.
"I'm delighted to get the move sorted and can't wait to get going," added Doyle.
"I spoke to the manager and chief executive Jez Moxey 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.
606: DEBATE
What are your thoughts on the signing of Doyle?
"The facilities here are top class and it's great to be going back into the Premier League again."
Doyle had a stint in the Premier League with Reading and scored 13 goals in 32 outings in the 2006/07 campaign.
But he notched just eight in 36 the following season as the Royals were relegated.
He added: "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."
BBC
Burnley capture Fletcher for £3m
Fletcher's performances for Hibs have been much praised
Burnley have signed Scotland striker Steven Fletcher for a club record fee of £3m from Hibernian.
The English club's website stated: "The highly-rated 22-year-old has agreed a four-year deal at Turf Moor."
Fletcher believes he will grow as a player under Owen Coyle, who previously managed St Johnstone and Falkirk.
"As soon as I heard that Burnley were after me, and knowing Owen Coyle as I do, I thought this was the right place to develop my career," he said.
"The opportunity came along in January for me to join Celtic, but Hibs did not think it was the right time to move on.
"When the chance arrived to come to the Premier League and play for a club like Burnley, I was glad they accepted that and let me come down."
It will be a blow for Hibs to lose such a quality player, but personally I think he is going just a bit early
Former Hibernian striker Keith Wright
New Hibs manager John Hughes had hoped to persuade Fletcher, who is a product of the club's youth system and has four Scotland caps, to stay at Easter Road.
But the striker, who had four years of his Hibs contract to run, had been vocal about his desire to further his career in England's top flight.
When Celtic failed with what the Glasgow club described as "substantial offers", Fletcher's agent said the player felt "let down" by Hibs.
Now he will join Coyle, who was linked with the Celtic manager's job this summer, as he leads promoted Burnley into the Premier League.
Fletcher scored 52 goals in nearly 190 appearances for Hibs and scored Scotland's winning goal in April's World Cup qualifying match against Iceland at Hampden.
He was also named as young player of the year by both the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football Writers' Association.
But former Hibs striker Keith Wright believes Fletcher may find it tough to make an immediate impact in England's top flight.
Fletcher leaving too early - Wright
"It will be a blow for Hibs to lose such a quality player, but personally I think he is going just a bit early," Wright told BBC Scotland.
"I think he's still got a bit to learn before going down south and I don't know if he will go there and play every week."
Wright thought that the money earned could be a blessing in disguise for Hughes.
"As long as Yogi is getting part of the money to bring in players that he has earmarked and who can score goals, it might not be a bad thing," he said.
Martin Paterson and Chris Eagles share the previous Burnley transfer record, both costing around £1.5m last summer.
Fletcher became Coyle's second signing of Tuesday, Burnley having earlier completed a £500,000 deal with Derby County for defender Tyrone Mears.
