Maierhofer joy at Wolves move
Wolves' new boy Stefan Maierhofer has welcomed his move to Molineux by saying the challenge is as big as playing in Europe.
The 27-year-old striker signed a three-year contract plus a 12-month option in Wolves' favour in a £1.8m deal from Rapid Vienna to become the club's ninth summer signing.
The arrival of Maierhofer takes Wolves' spending to around £18m, a figure that will be swelled by a further payment of £900,000 if he helps the club stay up and almost certainly concluded their incoming business for this transfer window.
Maierhofer – 6ft 7in tall – sacrificed Europa League football after starring in Rapid Vienna's win over Villa that Rapid earn matches against Celtic, Hamburg and Hapoel Tel Aviv in the group stages of what was the UEFA Cup.
But the colourful front man, who is a qualified restaurant chef after moving into professional football only five years ago, is happy to help Wolves establish themselves in the Premier League.
"I may be missing out on Europe but instead I'm looking forward to a great experience in England and trying to help Wolves," said Maierhofer.
"To knock Aston Villa out last week was incredible. It's great for the club to get through to the group stages and they will all be big games.
"But I think in the Premier League every game is like that – every game is such a massive occasion." Wolves have taken him permanently after Rapid insisted on a cash-only deal so they could fund a replacement by last night's 11pm deadline in Austria, with British clubs given until 5pm today because of yesterday's Bank Holiday.
In the event, Rapid signed Albanian international Handi Salihi for £500,000.
Watched three times this season by boss Mick McCarthy and his staff, Maierhofer emerged as Wolves' main target in recent weeks, although Newcastle told them youngster Andy Carroll was not for sale.
Dubbed the 'Austrian Peter Crouch' and 'The Neck' for his tall frame, Maierhofer scored 23 goals in 37 games last season and believes he can become a crowd pleaser.
"I'm a player who gives his all every game," he said.
"I'd like to think I can cause some problems and I can get my team-mates going and get the fans going as well. I give 100 per cent every game and am confident I'll be able to chip in with some goals and help the club stay in the Premier League.
