Roger Johnson completes move from Birmingham to Wolves

Johnson joined Birmingham from Cardiff in 2009

Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the signing of defender Roger Johnson from Birmingham for an undisclosed fee.

Johnson, 28, has signed a four-year deal at Molineux and Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy is delighted to get his man at the second attempt.

McCarthy lost out to Birmingham in the race to sign him from Cardiff in 2009.

"He was my first choice then and he was the first choice this time. I'm delighted we've finally signed him," McCarthy said.

"I saw something in Roger a couple of years ago. But two years is a bit too long to wait really.

"We've had a lot of players step up from the Championship as well and you just don't know how they will do when they come up.

"I always thought he would be a success in the Premier League. He was better than anyone thought.

"Fair play to [then Birmingham manager] Alex McLeish, who took him to Birmingham and he has had two great years."

Johnson, who started his career at Wycombe, admitted the lure of staying in the Premier League was too great for him to turn down.

He said: "I made some great friends there [at Birmingham]. It was a difficult decision to leave but I want to be in the Premier League, that's the end of it.

"I'm sure a few people will be disappointed I've not stuck it out, but I'm 28 and I want to be in the Premier League for as long as I can.

"Nothing against Birmingham, I had some great times there, the fans were great for me. But for me this feels right.

"It's been a long road to get here and I don't want it to end."

McCarthy had initially targeted Reading defender Matt Mills this summer but a £3m bid was rejected and he moved to Leicester last week instead.

Johnson moved to St Andrew's from Cardiff in 2009 on a three-year contract and formed a formidable defensive partnership with Scott Dann in his first season in the Premier League, helping the club to a ninth-placed finish.

Johnson made 88 appearances for Birmingham, scoring three goals, and was a member of the side which won the Carling Cup in February, beating Arsenal 2-1 in the final.