Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Reading striker Kevin Doyle for an undisclosed fee.
Manager Mick McCarthy swooped to complete the signing of the in demand frontman to help spearhead the club's return to the Barclays Premier League.
The highly-rated 25-year-old Irishman, a regular in the Republic's international team, has chosen Wolves over several other potential top flight options to become their third summer signing.
After passing a medical at Molineux, Doyle signed a four-year contract to make the move from Berkshire for what is believed to be a club record fee.
The striker, who notched 18 Championship goals for Reading last season as well as being named the Football Association of Ireland's Player of the Year, is relishing the prospect of returning to the Barclays Premier League.
great years
He told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to get the move sorted and can't wait to get going.
"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 will link up again with former Royals team-mate Marcus Hahnemann who has also moved from the Madejski to Molineux during the close season.
There was plenty of competition for his signature but Doyle opted for Wolves because they moved so quickly and because he felt so comfortable after meeting the manager.
He added: "Wolves were the first club that actually came in and settled things with Reading and so they were the first club I spoke to.
"I was expecting a long summer but Wolves were in straightaway.
"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.
"I'm leaving one good set of Irish lads to join another as well as obviously knowing Marcus (Hahnemann) as well!
"It always makes it that little bit easier to settle in when there are a few faces you recognise."
massive club
Doyle has the striking pedigree and presence McCarthy has been looking for, having hit 13 goals in 28 top flight appearances during Reading's first season in the big league back in 2006/07.
The Royals proved a surprise package and narrowly missed out on a place in the UEFA Cup. However they could not maintain the momentum and were relegated a year later and missed out on promotion in last season's play-offs despite being among the front-runners for most of the campaign.
However Doyle takes heart from that debut season which will give encouragement to the Midlands men.
He said: "We finished a point or maybe even a goal away from Europe when we went up with Reading.
"I don't know why we did so well but we all went in there wide eyed and excited and fresh to play and that got us through.
"It was a bit like it is with Wolves now in that none of us had played in the Premier League before.
"When you're in there and you realise that while it's difficult it's not a completely different world I think you realise you can do well there.
"I wanted to get back there with Reading but we didn't do it last season.
"I'm delighted to be joining what is historically a massive club and one which will be trying to establish itself in the Premier League."
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