Jelle van Damme is Wolves' new man

Jelle van Damme today became the first new signing of Wolves summer re-fit as he completed a £2.5m move from Anderlecht.

The Belgian international put the finishing touches to a three-year contract which includes an option for a fourth before leaving on a family holiday.

The 26-year-old left-sided defender is the first of a cluster of signings Wolves are working on as they attempt to make as much early progress as possible in their squad-strengthening plans for next season's Premier League campaign.

And the powerful 6ft 4in Belgian international is relishing the Molineux experience and the challenge of English top-flight football.

"I came to the last game of the season against Sunderland and you can only be excited about joining Wolves after experiencing that," he said.

"What am I looking forward to about the Premier League? Everything. England is so much about football you see with the people and the supporters just how much it means to them."

Van Damme has been recruited not just because of manager Mick McCarthy's faith in his ability but because he has impressed Wolves' management team with his strength of character and potential to fit in with a tightly-knit dressing room.

"He has been impressive to deal with from the start," said chief executive Jez Moxey as he waited for Anderlecht to return the paperwork which will enable the club to formally register the transfer.

"He's intelligent, a leader of men, a strong character. I suspect he will be a big, strong character in the dressing room who will impress his team-mates."

Van Damme will bring his wife Elke, sister of his nation's tennis queen Kim Clijsters and seven-month-old son Leo Cruz to settle into the area when he begins his pre-season programme.

By Martin Swain