Wolves on brink of £3m Stephen Hunt swoop

Saturday 19th June 2010, 11:30AM BST.

Stephen Hunt
Stephen Hunt

Wolves will spend the weekend putting the finishing touches to the £3m signing of Hull winger Stephen Hunt.

The Ireland international is expected to complete his move over the next couple of days before being unveiled as boss Mick McCarthy’s fourth new summer signing early next week.

Hunt will quickly follow £2.5m-rated Hull team-mate Steven Mouyokolo into Molineux in a £5.5m double swoop on the Tigers.

His arrival was more protracted owing to his injury that prompted more negotiation over the fee. The 28-year-old wideman broke his foot in February and Wolves wanted a deal structure that reflected the nature of the injury with the player not expected to regain full fitness until after the start of the season.

It is understood Wolves were not prepared to pay anywhere near Hull’s initial demands knowing the former Reading man may not be fully up to speed until probably the New Year.

However, a compromise has been reached to allow Hunt to rejoin familiar faces Kevin Doyle, Marcus Hahnemann, Andy Keogh and Kevin Foley.

Chief executive Jez Moxey said: “There are rumours about Stephen Hunt, and we’re looking at other players as well.

“I think we’ll certainly sign one more player, maybe two, and also see one or two going in the not-too-distant future.”

One of those is £1.2m Andrew Surman, who is joining an un-named Championship club.

Meanwhile, Mouyokolo highlighted the influence of former Molineux midfielder Seyi Olofinjana as a key behind his decision to join Wolves.

“Seyi has been a good friend of mine at Hull and he spoke very favourably about Wolves,” said the 23-year-old.

“He said he had his best year of football while he was here. He told me Wolves were a very good club with some very warm and friendly people, like a family club.”

“I’m still 23 with a lot of improvement to come and experience helps,” he added.


  1. 1
    RoynReanie

    Forget all your overhyped overpriced players from the World Cup that will be hawked around the Premiership in July

    3 / 4 pieces of excellent pre meditated and pre emptive pieces of business done already

    Really impressive stuff

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    southbank

    we have made some good signing now.lets just hope they pay off. would like to see another attacking mid who has scored goals aswell with hunt. !!
    we are wolves

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    pyegreenbaggie

    Thank god wolves are having him. I did fear the worst when i heard albion were in for him.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    molly knew

    All the doubters listen up – the club is invsesting in the team as promised. Three signings before July and 4th & 5th on the way!
    Great stuff.
    Let’s hope they all come good!!

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Wulvzs

    Stop all these signings I can’t take it anymore!

    Is this really us, I always thought that we were last minute shoppers!

    The January window fiasco is now long forgotten!

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    Mick is God

    Yes he will be fit then great guys this is good news He knows who the best club is, Always like hunt he is a great player ok sometimes he is not fit but who cares good cover. Do you agree with me? three Ms are GOD!

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Rich

    I thought Andy Keogh was leaving??
    Anyway,good signing once he is up to speed.
    Things are looking good now.

    Rich.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    it will be a question for the future,which 3 players got relegated 2 seasons on the trot,aye boing boing

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  9. 9
    hi ho wolverhampton

    would be a good signing i think as it gives us 4 wingers then with jarvis, kightly , hunt and geoffrey.

    think the 3M’s need to be congratulated on their transfer work so far, would like to see mancieene in next and then a creative midfielder like a fit bullard or o’hara.

    come on the wolves!!

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Satar

    It looks like things are beginning to take a positive shape with the next signing into the pipiline. We know the player, Hunt, is injured at the present time but when fit could bring the necessary ammunitions which Wolves so badly missed last season. There is no doubt with these additions the team will be better and could well be in an easier position to reach a safer place and thus allowing the manager to continue rebuilding a team capable to maintain for a long time their place in the Premiership. We hope we have embarked in the right path and we reckon that the board is doing all they can to assemble a team worthy of the name of Wolves with such great history. As the CEO has said there at least two more signings and some departures I think we are preparing a team that will give a good account of themselves this season. Let’s hope that Kightly and Ebanks Blake can show something we know they are capable of and no doubt if they click this time they will be of great help as they did in ensuring Wolves clinching the Championship and our place in the top tier. Perhaps they need time to adapt to the rigours of the Premiership and I wish them quick success. Looking forward to the new season with great interest.

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    jwwwfc

    @ Sir Terry Baggie

    Q: Which players got relegated every other season for a club with no ambition to ever stay in the top flight?

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    Chrisy WolvesFcMorris

    At last Moxey is making some wise decisions!!

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    angry wolf

    While I agree Hunt was a likely prospect for Wolves, a clever player indeed, that was before his serious injury, and quite frankly, a return to his previous form in the short term at least, is doubtful.

    We are carrying a keeper who a few seasons was a champion, but we are fooling ourselves if Murray ever plays in the No.1 spot for Wolves again.

    Another great player in Kightly, again a champion for Wolves is striving for full fitness, but will always now be regarded as injury prone, and with some of these signings, doubt he will ever be a regular at top leval.

    And what of Big ‘Chris’ top striker a couple of seasons back, but as a result of a terrible injury, curtosey of that Birmingham mongrel ‘Carsley’, he was never going to come up again, and what have we done, off loaded him to the first outfit interested.

    I believe signing Hunt to be a massive risk,and can only hope that we are covered in any contract signed

    Has anyone noticed that we seem to be drawn to Championship players!!!!!

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    jason

    this great news,i just hope the doubters out there are taking note of all these signings and we are showing our ambition to stay up and hopefully be challenging for europe in a couple of seasons times.

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    jason

    this is great news, we are showing our ambition to stay up and hopefully be challenging for europe in a couple of seasons times.

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    Grace

    Pyegreen

    Why????

    Were you shocked that you have been linked to someone that actually useful???

    Well done Wolves for having the persistence to see the deal through.

    It may have taken a long time but he is certainly worth it!!!

    KTF

    Wolvesforever

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    teeswolf

    Sir Terry Baggie, if I remember right Jody was relegated with Sunderland, then us, but made it 3rd time lucky.
    I’m sure Hunt will be the same.
    But just remind us of the Baggies record of premier league survival? Ours is 50% by the way!

    Report abuse

  18. 18
    PF WOLF

    Are you Reading are you Reading ard you Reading sandwell town??
    Yet ANOTHER player chooses the mighty gold&black shirt over the worse dressed fans in england.. Jelle van damme had the choice over Stoke,fulham&sandwell who did he choose? Stephen elliot when Sandwell were in the prem had the same choice,he choose wolves even tho they were in the championship at the time.. Jerome Thomas was desperate he said for Mick to sign him, but Mick said no so he went to Sandwell.
    Could it be the fact when sandwell play man utd in the beautiful place that is west brom they get 26,000 fans&the fact a weeks later wolves play barnsley&get 28,000.. Keep the faith tho Sandwell one day you may sign a player but that will only be if wolves don’t want him.

    Report abuse

  19. 19
    luke skywalker

    Rumours abound about Brum looking at Robbie – Keano should just come home, add Villa’s Sidwell and that might possibly be the best ever close season for transfers in, ever at Molineux! Surman, Halford, Keogh (regrettably) & Hill to leave – freeing up a bit of finance for a rainy day.

    Report abuse

  20. 20
    Ronjon

    Good signing of Hunt, but hope a clause has been added to the transfer that if the injury doesn’t pan out then we get out money back.

    Report abuse

  21. 21
    Paul Norman

    I believe that Hunt has been waiting to see if his mate Doyle is leaving us.If that was the case then we can all look forward to Doyle remaining for at least one more season[maybe more].It will prove to be a top class signing.ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!!!

    Report abuse

  22. 22
    molineuxmadman

    funny really as hunt and other players sandwell town av been linked with (also jelle van damme) have picked a bigger club to come to! hunt was 1 of the best players in the prem last year (along with eagles at burnley) sandwell town don`t have the money or pulling power of us at wolves now and that green eyed monster is creeping out! stop writing on wolves pages,then again your pages are like your trophy cabinet and history empty and uninspiring! WOLVES AY WE!

    Report abuse

  23. 23
    me

    I love the fact that Terry Boggie keeps commenting on all our signings, his fingers must be aching.

    He must be very scared with all the quality signings that have been made by the management team from castle greyskull!

    Didnt Kevin Phillips get relegated with the Boggies but got signed by Small Heath, much to the disgust of all the (17!) Boggie fans?

    Even Koren didnt want to stay around, must be the only team captain at the World Cup who is on a free – good financial management there eh?

    Joke posts from a joke supporter of a joke team.

    UTW

    Report abuse

  24. 24
    truewolves

    good signing, mancienne next and eagles,ledley or o’hara. as for terrybaggie, even ewan roberts that goal macine!! scored past your lot. lol

    Report abuse

  25. 25
    Wombourne Wolf

    Good signing i hope! Still hoping for kightly to be a revalation next season and SEB to come good! Would like to see a goalkeeper and attacking midfielder bought in next! as much as i like USA hes not goig to be round forever and hes 38 this season i think. slovkian Weiss has looked really good in world cup so far and has premier experience after last season at loan to bolton and were alot better than them! UTW

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  26. 26
    Albrightondek

    The only issue I have with Hunt is his current foot injury. This must be fairly serious if he will not be fit for the start of next season. I just hope we are not signing an injury prone player.

    I remember we signed Mike O’Grady from Leeds many years ago. A great player but we never saw the best of him due to a persistant achilles tendon problem.

    Report abuse

  27. 27
    paul,devon

    As a long-term Wolves fan I haven’t always been impressed with the efforts of the three M’s but they are certainly delivering this close season.
    Additionally, the wittering of a few Albion fans adds to the amusement. If your club is relegated you are obviously a bad player, never mind that if you had been available it might have made a difference.

    Report abuse

  28. 28
    The Wanderer

    According to the papers in Hull Albion had a 3.5mil offer accepted but he didnt want to join a newly promoted club! They can stick with Giles Barnes and Jerome Thomas theyll keep em up. Looks like their chairman is upto his usual free transfer tricks!

    Report abuse

  29. 29
    wednesbury/wolves

    Verry happy with the signings, some real thought has gone into our shape of play for next season, We now have a decent squad’ that could really suprise a lot of people.
    Excellent hard work by the 3m’s.

    Report abuse

  30. 30
    london wolf

    Sign Mancienne now!

    Report abuse

  31. 31
    Mancunian wolf

    Really impressed with the early initiative we’ve taken in signing the players Mick obviously identified, and they will no doubt improve the squad. However I have just one issue with the signings we’ve made so far: we all know that Mick has a very strong preference for signing young ‘honest’ twenty-somethings – whether that be because he does not like working with bigger characters etc – however, who were our stand-out players from last season? Craddock, hahnemann, Doyle – all of whom are players with genuine experince. It is all very well having, and signing even more early twenty-something players, but along with obvious quality, one of the main things we lacked last season – particularly in the centre midfield positions – was top-flight experince. Mick was forced to play 4-5-1 for the second half of last season for the simple reason that we didn’t have the necessary quality and experience in midfield to play 4-4-2. However, when asked himself why he felt the blues had done as well as they did last season, he cited the ‘hard-nosed’ premier league experince they have in the team – the kind of which he refuses to sign! I genuinly believe that, whilst the players we have signed will add quality to what we already have, the team still requires a centre midfielder with genuine experince, quality and PL know-how, if we are going significantly improve from last season and be able to play Micks preferred 4-4-2. Here’s calling for a bit more balance in the team.

    Report abuse

  32. 32
    stafford wolf

    Hunt will be a great signing.It is really clever bussiness that wolves are doing at the moment.Yes from relegated clubs but there star players you are more than capable in the premiership.Albion fans who are signing? Relegation is certain for you baggies.

    Report abuse

  33. 33
    Hereford Steve

    A big thank you goes to Seyi Olofinjana . I for 1 enjoyed your football while you was at Wolves

    Report abuse

  34. 34
    Grace

    Manc wolf

    We have got loads of midfielders with prem experience……

    Henry, jarvis, jones, edwards, etc

    Plus hunt to come

    What more do u want????

    Our own lads will be a lot stronger with the experience of last season under their belts.

    With all of this positive biz the club are doing we are going much stronger next season

    Ktf

    Wolvesforever

    Report abuse

  35. 35
    The Real London Wolf

    An excellent set of signings!

    Puts a clear marker that we mean to stay in the Premier.

    New stadium, new signings. Its even “new” that we haven’t heard from that Sanwell man “Bob Wolf” in recent weeks! (And all the other detractors!!)

    Perhaps there has been too much good news???

    Report abuse

  36. 36
    wolfhedd

    Some good signings, I would like a midfielder with prem experience and who is also a leader, as i feel we was lacking a true leader last season. Still plenty of time left for more signings though. Keep up the good work.

    Report abuse

  37. 37
    stephenpenn

    Really happy with signings to date. Now hoping that we get at least one creative midfield/winger who will be fit from the start and able to train in pre-season.

    Report abuse

  38. 38
    steve Briscoe

    well you have to sign new players because Doyle has got a chance of not being there next season, with Arsenal and villa sniffing around

    Report abuse

  39. 39
    chris hoggard

    A lot of us moaned last close season at some of the signings.This summer it seems to me that Jez is doing a good job at strengthening our side. We are getting our main targets and players are choosing us rather than other Prem sides.This is all very positive.

    Report abuse

  40. 40
    wolf3069

    hunt great signing for us .hopefully mancienne next. hoffer to go waste of time and money

    Report abuse

  41. 41
    wanderer in eire

    Wolves have certainly done the correct thing and got players in early giving them time to bed in and develope relations within the club.
    My one concern is HUNT and this is not in relation to his playing ability but his injury
    especially,if reports are to be beleived he wont be ready till January 2011!!
    I hope this is not the case,frankly at that price he as to be fully fit to be purchased.
    If we want him the agree the deal leave a refundale deposit on him and welcome him to WOLVES when he is ready and able.Foot injuries can be very on going in terms of recovery meaning extra days off then originally suggested and when players do come back it is well known fact it can be a further 3-4 months of start – stop.
    I would certainly urge WOLVES to stay away from HUNT.
    I would alos add Express @ star only reporeded a few weeks back that HUNT will not be signed until fit,I stand to be corrected but MICKO as also said this.

    Report abuse

  42. 42
    Tarbster

    Would be a good signing… will be interesting to see if we make the pitch any bigger this season.

    Report abuse

  43. 43
    steve wolf

    Fantastic work MMM’s we are lookin so strong! Can’t wait for baggies to finish bottom! Come on u Wolves!!!

    Report abuse

  44. 44
    oldrocker

    Terry Baggie,

    genuine question. What do you always put ‘aye’ before ‘boing, boing’ ?

    Report abuse

  45. 45
    alan Bates

    Ernie…..What do you think of the Wolves signings so far…..

    Eric…. R U B B I S H !!!!

    may well be right, picking up nomads from failed Premiership clubs, who you may notice, no one else wants or have attempted to bid against us

    Report abuse

  46. 46
    Scotswolf

    Don’t like this signing (if it goes ahead).
    £3m quid is a lot of dosh for a 28yr old who has yet to prove he has talent AND is recovering from a serious injury.
    Yes, he tries hard and he has mates in the team so he will quickly fit in.
    So what happens if we sign him? He spends time recovering, after the start of the new season, he gets fit on the training ground but then needs to play a few matches to become MATCH fit and sharp!! So, where are we now? October/November? That’s if there isn’t a recurrence of this injury and he doesn’t pick up another one. And he still has to prove he can be a valuable addition to the squad.
    The other signings are brilliant but, no, I don’t like this (proposed) signing.

    Report abuse

  47. 47
    charliewolf

    some people seem to think the young and hungry idea is not the way forward for wolves but i disagree, remember a guy from north of the border called ferguson with very young players with names like beckham, giggs, scholes,butt and the neville brothers and look where they helped to take man utd, the 3ms are doing a great job at the moment with some very good early signings and a fantastic new stadium in the pipeline so lets all remember that rome was not built in a day and we will get back to being a force in european football given time. see you all on the 14th

    Report abuse

  48. 48
    Moscow_Wolf

    Nice to see OUR club doing some good and early business. The more quality players we get in the easy it is for others to follow now and come the January window. Long gone (I hope) are the days of panic buying and being only to attract the likes of a One Leg Lushny. Ground expansion, a foothold in the Premier, decent squad to keep us mid-table ish, good being a Wolves supporter at the moment and much more promising than the Yo Yo outfit down the road in the Lego Stadium. We Are WOLVES,

    Report abuse

  49. 49
    Stoke on Trent Wolf

    I may be in the minority but I would not have gone for Hunt. I would have gone for Eagles ahead of him, I just think he ticks more boxes than Hunt.

    1)Better injury record.
    2)Ready to play from day one.
    3)Would not break the bank.
    4)Is younger than Hunt.
    5)Could have formed a good understanding with Fletcher.

    On the subject of point no. 3 do you think we can afford O’Hara?

    Report abuse

  50. 50
    spanish ray

    Overall good signings as yet although I do have reservations about Hunt.I hope he does get over his injury 100% but but I still think he is a money chaser and wonder if he can show total loyalty,still we`ll wait and see.O`Hara now and Keane along with Mancienne and we should have something good for the future.Thanks once again to Sir Terry Baggie for giving us all a laugh,keep it up,and let us know what you`re on and we can all have some you stupid moron.UTW.

    Report abuse

  51. 51
    laughingwolf

    Very happy time to be a Wolves fan. Players turning down the Albion to jion the Wolves, new super stadium to be built, quality signings completed very early, more money in the bank than the Albion, bigger attendances home and away. I liked a previous post that described Albions ambition is like their trophy cabinet, empty!

    I think we should put an 8mil offer in for Dorrans, he knows the area, a move to a bigger club, more money, I know it is a gamble as he has no premier league exprience but he has potential?

    Report abuse

  52. 52
    Ad Sunday Mant

    All looking really good indeed.

    Signing Mancienne would be the icing on top – and I do hope we hold onto Keogh… he’s still the number one sub to come on for Doyle or Fletcher.

    Dont think Ebanks has work ethic to make it in the prem, (hope im wrong) so Keogh and Vokes as back up stikers with the quality we now have behind them… DEElicious

    WE ARE WOLVES!

    Report abuse

  53. 53
    CORNISHWOLVES

    I feel good season coming on, BRING IT ON, MY BELOVED WOLVERERHAMPTON WANDERERS

    Report abuse

  54. 54
    Cyril Randle

    51. Loffin’Fowl. Why do you use a question mark for a full stop? Aren’t you sure about what you’ve written.
    44.Old Rocker. Do you reckon we won that one about vuvuzelas mate? I half-guessed I was teaming up with a Wulfie as you only attacked just the once, but it was a goal!

    Report abuse

  55. 55
    Cyril Randle

    Heck, Loffin, you’ve got me doing it now only the other way round.

    Report abuse

  56. 56
    Love the wolves

    Close season business looking good lets keep it up. Just remember wolves we`re the dingles hahaha, a club that sandwell town will never be!! Terry Baggie is wishing the albion had the fanbase,players,ambition that wolves have got. You can keep shouting boring boring, sorry boing boing all the way back to the championship. Small time yo yo club!!!!!

    Report abuse

  57. 57
    stephen

    hunt signed happy days, bring on the new season

    Report abuse

  58. 58
    brummierobwolves

    with the signings made and probably a couple more there r at least half a dozen worse teams than us. as for doyle going? if he does we would want double what we paid. the tescos have no assets like that!

    Report abuse

  59. 59
    Bournemouth Wolf

    Some great signings. Just think it will be a while before we see a Stephen Hunt we know up to speed on the pitch.

    Does anyone know just what type of foot injury he has?? It seems to be taking a very long time to mend??? All I have ever seen is he has a broken foot. That covers a multitude of sins..!

    Lets hope he is able to start pre-season or at least get some pre-season training in!!

    A Jamie O’Hara would just be the icing on the cake now?? :-)

    Report abuse

  60. 60
    laughingwolf

    I thought Elokobi got better with every game he played and I have every confidence in Big George but he is still young. I would like to see the club move for Nicky Shorey or Belhadj of Pompey. Steve Sidwell, Michael Mancienne or Jamie O Hara would finish off our business and we would have a very good squad.

    I have heard a rumour that Westbrom will bring Danny Mills out of retirement and tell their fans they have signed an ‘England international’ to sell more season tickets. They couldnt fall for it twice aftetr the Spaniard, could they?

    Report abuse



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