CONFIRMED: WOLVES MAKE TOMMY DOYLE'S CONTRACT PERMANENT
Tommy Doyle is set to become a permanent member of the Wolves squad on 1st July 2024, after the club exercised the option to keep the midfielder following his loan spell this season.
The 22-year-old has had a successful loan stint from Manchester City, making 30 appearances and bringing a different skillset to Gary O’Neil’s midfield. He has now signed a four-year contract at Molineux.
Confident with the ball and possessing an impressive passing range, the young player arrived on transfer deadline day last summer, fresh from helping Sheffield United gain promotion to the Premier League during his previous loan spell.
The opportunity at Molineux offered Doyle his first taste of top-flight football as a City academy graduate. Initially coming off the bench, he gradually showcased his abilities, particularly in autumn wins over AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur.
As he settled into the Premier League, Doyle’s playing time increased, and he scored a stunning Emirates FA Cup goal against Brentford, which kickstarted Wolves’ journey in the competition and earned him a nomination for the club’s Goal of the Season.
A positive influence off the pitch and a consummate professional in training, Doyle earned the trust of his manager, starting in impressive Premier League victories over Everton and Fulham at Molineux, as well as the Black Country derby triumph at the Hawthorns.
Now, a year after winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship with England, Doyle has made Molineux his permanent home until 2028, with the deal including an additional two-year option.
Tommy Doyle
“It’s amazing. I’m really happy. I found out not too long ago what’s going to happen and it’s obviously very exciting for me, having enjoyed this season so far, and I’m looking forward to trying to better what we’ve done next season.
“I’ve known for a little while that there were talks, and the other day it was more official. I’ve enjoyed it here, everyone’s been really great with me, the manager, the staff and especially the lads. It’ll be good to battle in the league again with them next season.
“They’re a great set of lads. It’s a very driven group of lads who want to achieve, lads who want to push each other to become better. There’s a lot of things individually and as a team I want to do next season, and this is the best place of me.”
MATT HOBBS
On making Doyle’s move permanent
“I don’t think it was a decision we ever thought we weren’t going to make. We never saw him as a player on loan and I don’t think he’s ever felt like that, and he hasn’t acted like that. There was a huge amount of inevitability to it. He’s already got a song which is nice for him and rarely happens that quick. For me, the football club, the manager, it was simple because we never felt like it wouldn’t happen.
“It was done outside the first-team dressing room, just a casual conversation to say we were going to send it, but I’ve spoken to him several times this season. It was very informal, as he’s a very casual and relaxed guy. He was delighted and can start planning, so it gives him time to settle over the off season. He knows early and it was important for him to know that we want him to finish the season feeling like he’s an important player for next season. To be honest, we could have done this months ago, but it was about finding the right time.”
On embracing the whole club
“He’s a really humble guy. He buys into who we are as a club and what we’re trying to create culturally within the group. He’s a great player to have for what we’re trying to achieve off the pitch and he gives us so much on the pitch, so he’s an ideal player that I think Wolves should be signing.”
On his progression since arriving
“I’m sure Tommy, like all players, would like to play more because every player does, but if you look at how it’s gone for him and how he’s gradually earned more minutes and become more important, I think that’s an ideal first year. His challenge will be to cement his place, he’ll have to fight for it like everyone else and it’s an area of the pitch we’re lucky with. How this year’s panned out, with the minutes he’s had and his importance, it’s been perfect.
“Tommy’s earned trust through the performances he’s given. Gary trusts everyone and he’ll give everyone opportunities, then it’s up to them to take it and earn trust off the back of it. Gary’s [O’Neil] shown his trust in him, but Tommy’s shown day in, day out through his training and his attitude that he’s easy to trust.”
On bringing different qualities
“I’m not one for comparing players, but he’s probably as close to Ruben [Neves] as we’ve got in the group with his passing range and his ability to strike dead balls. Tommy has a different range of passing, so whether we’re playing against a team who dominate the ball or if we’re going to have a lot of the ball, across our midfielders, we’re really fortunate to have them.”
On showing patience when arriving
“It can’t be easy for a player, because they just want to play. They’re competitive people and Tommy is one of the most competitive, but he handled the frustration with real class and waited and took the minutes he got in that early period. To get a song when you’re on loan probably shows how much the fans have bought into him. What he offers to the central midfield players is something different to the others. We spoke about balance and units, and he’s perfect for that.
“He’s a very mature and obviously had a very good football education at Man City and England. He’s always been an important player in every group and a leader, and you can see that side, that maturity and level-headedness. That’s probably where the ability to stay patient has come from. I can’t speak highly enough of him, with how he’s handled himself off the pitch, but also around the boys and on it – I’ve been super impressed with him.”
On Doyle’s future with Wolves
“If you look at the type of players we like to sign as a football club, they generally haven’t reached their ceiling yet and have loads more to come. Tommy is another player in that age bracket and he’s a fraction of the player he will be, with the more he gets used to the league and the greater his understanding gets. I’m really excited for now but also his future at Wolves.”