Reading striker Kevin Doyle has joined Premier League new boys Wolverhampton Wanderers on a four-year contract, it has been announced.

The Irish international moves to Molineux after four years with the Royals, in which he made more than 150 appearances and scored 55 times.

The fee, according to Reading, it a record sale for the club - meaning it is in excess of the £5.5 million Stoke City paid for striker Dave Kitson last summer and represents a good bit of business after he was signed from Cork for a nominal fee in 2005.

Royals director of football Nick Hammond told the club's official website: "Kevin has been a fantastic player for our club and first of all I would like to wish him every success in his future career.

"He 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.

"On top of that, Kevin showed his commitment to us last season when he stayed after our relegation. We all recognise that he is a Premier League player and it was a real coup we were able to keep him.

"So with this deal in place now, the point in time arrived where it was the right opportunity for him and the right deal for the club as well."

Since his move to the Madejski Stadium, Doyle has made 25 appearances for Ireland and scored six goals.

And Hammond, who was full of praise for Wolves for the way they dealt with Reading during the transfer and negotiations process, said the buying club had "got themselves a top player".

"I have already offered my best wishes [to Doyle] and I am sure the supporters will be doing the same to a player who rightly earned their respect," he added.

"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."
© Adfero Ltd