There may be disappointment among Wolves management and players that Seyi Olofinjana has departed for Stoke - but plenty of good wishes and hopes that he makes a success of his long-awaited Premier League chance.

It was the attraction of trying to crack English football's top tier that lured the affable Seyi to Molineux four years ago, but unfortunately Wolves were unable to bridge that demanding hurdle and reach the Promised Land during his time at the club.

But the Nigerian is one of the game's true gentlemen, and that is why there will never be any hard feelings at a decision which undoubtedly will have left the man himself with mixed feelings.

"Seyi was always going to go and I wish him nothing but the best," boss Mick McCarthy said of his £3million move.

"When he signed his new contract last season, we knew if we didn't go up, he could always go to a Premier League club.

"That was part of the deal, but it's turned out to be a terrific deal for us as well - having had his services last season then getting what we got for him.

"I expect him to do really well in the Premier League.

"I think there will be one or two looking at him regretting they didn't do the deal to sign him because I see players now that people are talking about and he's better than them.

"So it's a good deal all round."

Two recent Wolves captains - Jody Craddock and Karl Henry - echoed their manager's sentiments.

"I'm sad to see him go," said Jody.

"He's a good lad and a good footballer who wants to better himself because he wants to play in the Premier League.

"Good luck to him and I take nothing away from Seyi because I think he can play there - and he should be playing there.

"It's just a shame that being transferred, he won't be playing there for Wolves.

"He's a very nice lad so it's not something he would have entered into lightly.

"I assume he wants to further his career which is only natural because he's capable of doing that."

Karl added:  "Seyi's a very good player - he's powerful, he gets goals and he's an all-round midfielder.

"It's a big loss for the club to lose him, but we've got midfielders here such as myself, David Edwards and David Jones and I'd like to think we're capable of filling that gap."

Amid the good luck messages for Seyi bridging that gap now becomes what it's all about.

And the manager is confident Wolves have the midfielders in their squad to cope with his departure.

"I think we've got enough quality to cope without him," adds Mick,

"My question is: 'Can one of the others become as good as he was'?

"We relied on him, but he wasn't at his absolute best all last season because of the African Nations Cup.

"The season before, he was awesome. It leaves a gap for someone else.

"It's like Breeny (Gary Breen) leaving, but let somebody else step up and become the dominant character.

"Opportunity arises for someone else."