REPUBLIC OF IRELAND and Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has signed for Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids and will join up with his new team at the end of the Championship season.
Earlier this evening, the 31 year-old came on for the final few minutes at Molineux as his current employers registered a 2-0 win over Derby to move into the intense battle for a play-off place.
Within a couple of hours, Colorado, who face New York City in their second MLS game of the current season on Saturday, tweeted that Doyle had put pen to paper.
Though the full terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, Doyle will become the club’s third Designated Player (DP) subject to visa requirements and a medical. Each MLS franchise is allowed three DPs – players that fall outside of the league’s salary cap.
Doyle has signed a two and a half year deal and will officially become a Rapids player on 1st July when his current deal with Wolves finally expires.
The attacker has struggled for the majority of his time with the storied club. He signed in 2009 for a record of £6.5m but has managed 33 goals in over 140 appearances and has been sent on loan to QPR and Crystal Palace respectively in the last twelve months.
Speaking about the move, Doyle expressed his delight but outlined his desire to be part of Wolves’ push back towards the top-flight.
“I am delighted and very excited to be moving to the Colorado Rapids”, he said.
I know from talking to Robbie Keane that MLS is a great league to play in and I look forward to being another top Irish player there.”
“I will be sad to leave Wolves, a truly great club that I’ve had the privilege to play for. I will always be grateful to the fans for their support; it is they who make Molineux such a special place.”
“To be involved in the current squad that is on an exciting run is now my only focus, as it would mean so much to me to see us get back to the Premier League.”
There’s already a keen Irish influence at Colorado with former FAI financial director Padraig Smith hired as the club’s Sporting Director last year.
