Arsenal's Matthew Connolly Becomes QPR's Latest Confirmed Signing

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UPDATED: COLCHESTER Statement:

Colchester Official Site - Connolly Heads To The R's
Posted on: Wed 02 Jan 2008
Following the conclusion of his loan spell at Layer Road, defender Matt Connolly has now joined QPR on a permanent basis.
Matt headed back to Arsenal yesterday after the Premiership club activated a recall clause in his season long loan with the U's.
And, as expected, he has now made the full time move to the U's Championship rivals on a three and a half year contract.
"It's very difficult to make the breakthrough at a Club like Arsenal, so when QPR made an offer I knew it was the right time to move on," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"Arsenal provided me with a great launch pad, but I need to be playing first team football at my age and this is a fantastic Club for me to pursue my career at."
Matt is one of two former U's to sign for QPR on Wednesday, with Hogan Ephraim following up his earlier loan spell with the R's by joining them on a permanent basis." Colchester

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - EXCLUSIVE: YOUNG GUN SIGNS
Queens Park Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Arsenal youngster Matthew Connolly.
The 20 year-old has penned a three-and-a-half year deal with the R's, after the two Clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
"It's very difficult to make the breakthrough at a Club like Arsenal, so when QPR made an offer I knew it was the right time to move on," Connolly told www.qpr.co.uk.
"Arsenal provided me with a great launch pad, but I need to be playing first team football at my age and this is a fantastic Club for me to pursue my career at.
"I know what the Championship is all about after my spell at Colchester United and I'm delighted to be part of what appears to be a very bright future at this Football Club."
Connolly, who spent the first part of the 2007/08 season on loan at Championship rivals Colchester United, is a product of the successful Arsenal academy.
After working his way through the academy system at the North London Club, Connolly was named as captain of the Gunners' Reserve side in September 2006, before he was handed his First Team debut against West Bromwich Albion in the Carling Cup a month later.
After impressing whilst on loan at Layer Road this season, Connolly received his first call up to Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad in November.
Connolly will wear squad number 16. QPR

ARSENAL OFFICIAL SITE - Matt Connolly joins Queen's Park Rangers
Defender Matthew Connolly has joined Championship side Queen's Park Rangers in a permanent deal.
Connolly (20), who had spent the first half of the 2007/08 season on loan at Colchester United, broke into the Arsenal first team last season, making his debut in the Carling Cup victory at West Bromwich Albion, playing the full 90 minutes. This was followed by a substitute appearance in the 6-3 victory at Anfield in the Carling Cup Fifth Round.
Matthew, who joined Arsenal as an eight year-old, was a regular in the Reserves during his time the Club and was Captain for Neil Banfield’s team last season.
Matthew had a very eventful 2006/07 season. After playing in Dennis Bergkamp’s Testimonial match at Emirates Stadium in July, Matthew also trained with the full England squad as they prepared for their friendly match against Holland and then spent a successful loan spell with League One side AFC Bournemouth.
Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Matthew for his contribution during his time at the Club and wish him the best of luck with Queen's Park Rangers. Arsenal


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - IN PROFILE: MATTHEW CONNOLLY
Matthew Connolly penned a three-and-a-half year deal with the R's in January 2008.
The 20 year-old defender, who spent the first part of the 2007/08 season on loan at Championship rivals Colchester United, is a product of the successful Arsenal academy.
After working his way through the academy system at the North London Club, Connolly was named as captain of the Gunners' Reserve side in September 2006, before he was handed his First Team debut against West Bromwich Albion in the Carling Cup a month
He enjoyed a short spell on loan at Bournemouth last season, before returning to the Emirates Stadium in January and featuring against Liverpool in the Carling Cup, quarter-final.
After impressing whilst on loan at Layer Road this season, Connolly received his first call up to Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad in November. QPR