Irwin retains appetite for success

Denis Irwin vowed to add a First Division Championship winner's medal to his bulging collection of silverware after completing…

Denis Irwin vowed to add a First Division Championship winner's medal to his bulging collection of silverware after completing his move to Wolves today.

The 36-year-old former Republic of Ireland defender is one of the most decorated players in the country, but he is determined to prove he still has the winning habit following his release by Manchester United.

Irwin won seven Premiership titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup, the Cup Winners' Cup and Champions League in a glittering 12-year career at Old Trafford.

And he admitted he would only be content with another title after signing a one-year contract at Molineux.

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He said: "I wanted to join a club with ambition - one that provided a challenge, and Wolves were the biggest and best that came in for me.

"I've had a great 12 years at United but I'm looking forward to working hard here and hopefully winning the First Division championship.

"A lot of people have said to me go out and enjoy it but I can only enjoy it if I'm winning.

"I know just how big this club is and I know they should have gone up last season. This year is going to be a big challenge and I'm looking forward to it," he told the official club website.

Wolves were pipped to the second automatic promotion place in Division One by arch-rivals West Brom last season despite setting the pace for most of the campaign. They went on to lose to Norwich in the play-offs.

But manager Dave Jones believes Irwin's success will rub off on his squad this season, and was delighted to have fought off competition from a host of suitors for the full-back's signature.

He said: "His winning culture will rub off on both senior and younger players here. I tried to get him last season but he was involved in one or two cup competitions!

"I'm pleased to have picked up such an accomplished player whose pedigree is second to none.

"The experience he will bring to the squad is unprecedented. It was a scoop to pick him up with so many other clubs chasing him.

"He is without doubt a top professional and is going to be of great benefit to the club."

Irwin will miss the club's pre-season friendly against Kidderminster Harriers on Wednesday while he works on his fitness, but is set for a debut against Stockport on Saturday.

The former Leeds and Oldham defender, who was a boyhood Wolves fan in his hometown of Cork during the 1970s, was released by United after being overtaken by Mikael Silvestre and the Neville brothers in Sir Alex Ferguson's plans at Old Trafford.