Ireland's Matt Doherty on the move to Premier League promotion hopefuls Sheffield United

Doherty joins the Championship outfit on an initial one-year deal, with the option of a further year

ON THE MOVE: Ireland defender Matt Doherty has signed for Sheffield United from Wolves. Pic: Alex Pantling/Getty Images.

Ireland defender Matt Doherty has signed for Sheffield United, having severed his ties with Wolves after two spells.

Doherty (34), who won the last of his 53 caps in the World Cup qualification opener against Hungary last September, joins the Championship outfit on an initial one-year deal, with the option of a further year.

The 34-year-old has made almost 400 appearances for Wolves but last season petered out into relegation, leading to a major exodus.

Doherty’s outspoken reaction to the December 2-0 loss at Brentford – asking if he and his teammates wanted to be recalled as ‘cowards’ for giving up the fight – underlined the mood at the club.

He’s moved onto a fresh challenge of helping the Blades move the other way, becoming Chris Wilder's first permanent close-season capture following their disappointing 13th-place finish last term.

Doherty told the club’s website: "I spoke to the manager and had a walk round the stadium. I’ve played there (Bramall Lane) many times before so I know what the atmosphere can be and the manager convinced me with his vision of the team and the club.

"I’m backing the manager to get the club back into the Premier League and I’m guessing that is the goal for everyone at the end of the day."

Wilder added: "There's no doubt we are getting a player here who knows what it takes to be successful.

"You've got to be a seriously good player to have played as many times as he has for the likes of Wolves, Spurs and Atletico Madrid.

"Matt is a top pro on and off the pitch; he still has a real desire to achieve things in his career, and he wants to do that here.

"He'll drive those standards we are looking for and bring the best out of others in the squad. I've talked about culture carriers a lot over the years, and that's what I see in Matt."