Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Kevin Doyle from Reading for a club-record £6.5 million.

Doyle, the 25-year-old Ireland striker, had been linked with other clubs, including Everton, Fulham and Sunderland, but has agreed a four-year deal with the newly-promoted Barclays Premier League 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 said. "I was expecting a long summer but Wolves were in straight away. I'm delighted to get the move sorted and can't wait to get going.

"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.

"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 scored 13 goals in the top-flight for Reading in 2006-07 and eight the following season when the club were relegated. He found the net 18 times in the Coca-Cola Championship last season but Reading lost in the play-off semi-finals to Burnley. Wolves were promoted as champions.

Mick McCarthy, the manager, has also signed Nenad Milijas, the Serbia captain, and Doyle's former Reading team-mate, Marcus Hahnemann. Wolves' previous-highest transfer fee was £3m, paid for Ade Akinbiyi and Kenny Miller.