Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio has stated that the opportunity of being part of an "exciting project" at Wolverhampton Wanderers was key to his decision to leave Sporting Lisbon for the Premier League.

The 30-year-old was one of nine players to cancel their contract at Sporting last season following an attack by the club's own fans at their training ground just days before they were due to play in the Portuguese cup final.

Patricio joins a number of his fellow countrymen - including head coach Nuno Espirito Santo - at Molineux, but the stopper insists that the opportunity to be part of the project was the biggest incentive.

"Nuno played a fundamental role in my arrival here, as we've known each other for several years," Patricio told Wolves TV.

"Nuno wasn't the only motive for my arrival, as Wolves' exciting project has given me the opportunity to play here. That was without question the biggest trigger.

"I'm very excited to start training and play in the Premier League, which is the best in the world."

Patricio, who was Portugal's number one at this summer's World Cup, spent 18 years at Sporting, making 467 appearances for the first team.