Wolves confirm Saunders as boss

Wolves have confirmed Dean Saunders as their new manager after agreeing compensation with Doncaster.



The Championship club have moved quickly to replace Stale Solbakken after the Norwegian's ill-fated reign came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to non-league Luton in the FA Cup on Saturday.



Saunders began his management career with Wrexham in the Blue Square Bet Premier before taking over at Doncaster.



A statement on Wolves' official website read: "Wolves are delighted to confirm that Dean Saunders is to become the club's new manager.



"Compensation has been agreed with Doncaster Rovers to allow the 48-year-old to take over at Molineux following Saturday's departure of Stale Solbakken."



The Welshman leaves Rovers, joint-top of League One, to join a club 18th in the Championship, six points above the bottom four.



Solbakken managed just nine wins from 26 league games and the final straw came at Kenilworth Road as Wolves lost to a side 60 places below them.



Saunders' playing career included spells with Liverpool and Aston Villa, where he won the FA Cup and League Cup respectively, while he also earned 75 caps for Wales.



He left Wrexham after three years in charge at the Racecourse Ground, having guided them to the play-offs in 2010/11.



When he departed, the Red Dragons were top of the table.



Despite relegation in his first season in charge at Doncaster, a colourful campaign which saw Rovers take a number of high-profile players on loan from agent Willie McKay's stable, Saunders has spearheaded a revival at the Keepmoat Stadium, with Rovers having taken 50 points from their 26 games.

Wolves sign Jermaine Pennant on loan

Jermaine Pennant is relishing the chance to get his career back on track at Wolves after joining the Championship side on loan.

The out-of-favour winger agreed a deal to link up with Stale Solbakken at Molineux until the new year after he was told he could leave the Britannia Stadium by Stoke manager Tony Pulis. And the 29-year-old is eager to impress and help Wolves maintain their promotion push.

'I'm excited to have made the loan move,' he said.

'Wolves are a massive club and it's been a tough game and a great encounter every time I've played against them.

'And there has always been a really good atmosphere in the games at Molineux which is a great ground. 'I'm just looking to do the best I can for Wolves and try to keep them towards the top of the table.

'Hopefully at the same time it will be good for me as well to get some games.

'Obviously it's not gone as planned for me at Stoke so far this season.



'But I've got a great opportunity now.

'It is in the Championship but it is at a very good club in a very competitive league.

'Wolves are going well at the moment and are third in the table and hopefully I can help maintain that and give the team a boost.'

Pennant boasts plenty of Premier League pedigree after spells with Stoke, Liverpool and Arsenal and he had plenty of options after being frozen out by Pulis.

He added: 'There were other teams involved but with the stature of Wolves, and their position in the table, helped make my mind up.

'I did some research into it and know they want to play good football and have got good training facilities.



'It is close to home as well and in all was the perfect choice.

'If I can get on the ball as much as possible hopefully I can benefit the club.

'I have come in here to do a job as any professional would and I'm ready to give it my all.'

Pennant joining in with full training on Tuesday and set his sights on making his debut against Huddersfield on Saturday.



'I know Karl (Henry) from back with the England Under-21s a few years ago and also Sylvan Ebanks-Blake a bit from playing against him,' Pennant explained.

'All the lads have made me feel welcome and I feel a part of it already.

'I'm looking forward to my first proper training session today and the first game.

'It's always a little bit like your first day at school when you're at a new club but hopefully once I get going I'll get into the pace of it straightaway.

'My fitness levels are great and I'm 100 per cent and I just came in and did a few medical tests and bits and pieces yesterday.

'I'm not presuming I'm going to go straight into the team on Saturday – I might be on the bench and need to get used to it a bit.

'After that there are two home games and by then I am sure I will be bedded in a lot more.'



Wolves players and fans may remember Pennant notching the third goal in a hugely disappointing night at the Britannia in a 3-0 defeat 18 months ago.

Now though he is committed to putting smiles on Wolves faces.

'I won't be mentioning that one!' he says when asked about the goal.

'I'm playing in the black and gold now so hopefully can give Wolves fans some better memories of me.'

Wolves complete Sigurdarson signing

Wolves have agreed a deal to sign Iceland international Bjorn Sigurdarson subject to the player agreeing terms and passing a medical.



Sigurdarson, 21, is expected to ink a four-year contract with the Championship side after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Lillestrom.



The striker is committed to playing in the Norwegian Premier League club's next three games before joining Wolves on July 13, becoming boss Stale Solbakken's first signing.



"I am very pleased that an agreement has been reached for us to sign Bjorn,'' said Solbakken in a club statement. "He is an exciting young prospect who has the quality to help us achieve our aims both in the short and long term.



"We look forward to the deal being completed next month after which Bjorn will be able to join us as we prepare for the new season.''



Wolves CEO Jez Moxey added: "Negotiations have been slightly more complex than usual due to the Norwegian League being halfway through the season, but as a result of extensive discussions we now have an agreement."



Sigurdarson, the half-brother of former Wolves midfielder Joey Gudjonsson, has been in impressive form for Lillestrom this term, netting seven goals in 11 appearances.