Wolves seal Gudjonsson deal

Gudjonsson returns to the Premiership

Wolves have completed the signing of former Aston Villa midfielder Joey Gudjonsson on a season-long loan.

Gudjonnson will go straight into Dave Jones' squad for Saturday's home Premiership game with Portsmouth.

As part of the deal, Wolves have an option to sign the 23-year-old Iceland international from Spanish club Real Betis at the end of the season.

Jones was relieved to have secured the signing with the transfer deadline looming and this week's move for Brazilian Emerson falling through. He said: "It took a long time to get the deal done and if it had all been smooth running he would have been here at the start of the week.

"If he Joey plays as well as he did at Aston Villa, he will be okay.

Match preview: Wolves v Portsmouth

"He's a good passer and he's got a hell of a shot on him. "He will give us something which we have not got at the moment in midfield."

Gudjonsson scored on his Villa debut against Middlesbrough but was sent off in the Birmingham derby in March for a two-footed lunge at Matthew Upson.

But Gudjonsson said he was relishing his return to the Premiership because he was running into more disciplinary problems in Spain.

I'm delighted to be back in the Premiership - I'm looking forward to the challenge Joey Gudjonsson

Gudjonsson said: "I think here in the Premiership you are allowed to go in with the challenges a lot more and I'm willing to get stuck in there.

"I just think that's why I'm more suited to the Premiership. I just give everything - that's the way I play.

"I'm delighted to be back. I know it's going to be a good challenge but I welcome any challenge so I'm looking forward to it."

Meanwhile, Jones is hopeful of securing the services of former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek, who has spent the week training at Molineux.

Jones badly needs short-term cover for goalkeeper Michael Oakes with current number one Matt Murray out with a back injury.

He added: "Pavel is a free agent and we are negotiating with him to come either until January or the end of the season.

"He's done very well and he knows the division and has the experience we need."

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