Van Damme set for Wolves

(GSM) – Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Anderlecht defender Jelle van Damme for an undisclosed fee.

The Belgium international moves to Molineux from Anderlecht on a three-year deal with an option for a further 12 months and become the Wolves’ first summer signing.

Van Damme expressed his delight: “It feels nice to be here with everything now sorted out.

“I saw the last home game with Sunderland and now everything is finalised with my former club so I am happy.

“It’s a different challenge for me coming from a team at the top of the table but, with all due respect to the Belgian league, there’s a big difference between that one and the Premier League.

“I think Wolves is a warm and friendly club. There is potential here as well. I have a lot of ambition and I want to succeed here,” the defender said.

“Jelle is a player we’ve been watching for a long time and I’m delighted we’ve signed him,” Wolves boss Mick McCarthy told the Midland outfit’s official website.

“Jelle is a versatile defender who can play in several different positions and also boasts Champions League experience with Anderlecht and 22 international caps with Belgium.

“Playing in the Premier League is going to be a new challenge but from talking to him it’s one he is clearly looking forward to and relishing.

“There were other clubs who were keen to sign him but we were able to get in early and register our interest and get the deal done.

“It’s also a big advantage that he will be able to come in and spend all pre-season training with the squad and hopefully that will give him plenty of time to get settled in.

“He’s older and more experienced than the last time he played in the Premier League and I’m looking forward to working with him,” the tactician revealed.