Wolves sign goalkeeper De Vries

(GETTY IMAGES)

Goalkeeper Dorus de Vries has vowed to challenge Wayne Hennessey for a first team spot at Wolves after moving from Swansea on a three-year contract.

De Vries has made the switch to Molineux after being available on a Bosman transfer at the end of his current contract with the Swans.

He played a major role in helping the Welsh club gain promotion to the Barclays Premier League at the end of last season.

But now De Vries believes he is making the step up by joining Wolves who have made their second signing in 24 hours following the capture of Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham in a £5 million move.

He said: "Swansea is a great club throughout and have got a great squad and I wish them all the best.

"But, sometimes as a professional player, you have to get out of your comfort zone a little bit to be able to find your true potential.

"When you look at the set-up at Wolves, from the training facilities through to everything else, it is all really professional and I can't stop thinking about getting started.

"Wolves are going into a third season in the top division and the difference for me is that Swansea hope to maintain their Premier League status Wolves whereas will expect to survive.

"Swansea is a club which I'm sure can grow into the Premier League but, at Wolves, that experience is already there with most of the players having been in the league for at least two years."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy needed to bring in another keeper after Marcus Hahnemann was released at the end of last season.

But De Vries is determined to challenge Wales number one Hennessey for his place.

He said: "This is the big step for me. It's going to be a great battle for me which I think will help me progress.

"All throughout my career I've been first choice goalkeeper and I carefully chose my clubs on the basis on where I would be able to play and establish myself.

"I'd always wanted to progress and can look back and say I've played a lot of games and built up my experience.

"Now this is the next step, to challenge for a place in the Premier League, and all I can do is get to know the guys and train really hard and show what I can do.

"I need to show I am worthy of wearing the shirt which is the most important thing for the next couple of months.

I'm looking forward to working with a good experienced manager and good goalkeeping coach and some players who will help me improve."

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: "Dorus has played a key role in a Swansea team which has been very successful in recent seasons in moving from League One through to the Barclays Premier League.

"Dorus was their first choice goalkeeper throughout those promotions and has only missed a handful of league games in the last four years.

"He has shown in those years that he is a very good goalkeeper, and it is refreshing that he is happy to move to a club where he knows he is going to face a major battle just to get into the team."