MICHAEL Monaghan has told the Warrington Guardian that Wolves' persuasive powers were the decisive factor in his choice to move to The Halliwell Jones Stadium rather than the KC Stadium next year.

Hull remained the favourites for the Manly half back's signature as recently as the weekend but Wolves did everything they could to show Monaghan they meant business - including recruiting the help of Andrew Johns and Adrian Morley.

Johns had looked likely to be Wolves' 2008 half back signing before his shock retirement but the Australian legend still played a big part in determining the identity of Warrington's key signing for next year.

Johns gave Wolves' majority shareholder Simon Moran, with whom he still remains in close contact, his opinion on Monaghan and then - along with current Wolves star Morley - agreed to phone the 27-year-old to tell him all about Warrington.

Monaghan, who had told Manly that he would make a decision on his future this week, was impressed with what he heard.

Speaking from Australia, the man nicknamed Monas' said: "One of the reasons that I was keen to come was that Warrington were pretty aggressive in trying to get me there.

"There was a bit of interest over here (in the NRL) as well as a couple of other English clubs.

"It was between Hull and Warrington, and I knew Peter Sharp at Hull so that was one reason why I was looking towards them.

"But I got to speak to a few people like Andrew Johns and Adrian Morley and did a bit of my own research about Warrington.

"From everything I've seen about the club and everything I've heard from guys like Simon Moran, it's got a big future and I'm really looking forward to it.

"It will be a big change to move to England because I've spent the last four or five years in Manly.

"But, from the people I've spoken to, it's a pretty good place to live and there's a good young group of players who hopefully I'll get along pretty well with.

"The coach (Paul Cullen) was really keen to get me there and you always hope to go somewhere where you're really wanted.

"And, with Andrew Johns giving a big rap to the club and saying he was pretty confident that the club had a big future, it was a pretty easy decision in the end."

Moran has dismissed reports linking Wolves with a move for Australian international prop Jason Ryles.