QPR's Chris Barker Joins Plymouth

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Plymouth Official Site - BARKER SIGNS

ARGYLE have signed defender Chris Barker from QPR.

The Yorkshire-born defender has followed former Loftus Road team-mate Simon Walton to Home Park on a three-year deal after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

The deal was completed in time to allow the experienced left-back to be available for the season-opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

He has been assigned the number 15 shirt.

Manager Paul Sturrock said: "I am very pleased, because Gary Sawyer has a lingering hamstring problem and he just can't seem to get rid of it.

"We have admired Chris from afar in the past. He has a wealth of experience after playing for several Championship teams.

"He is more than 6ft tall with a long throw, and has great experience.

"We are slowly getting a squad together and this is the type of player we are looking for.

"We want a squad of 22 good players."

Barker, 28, began his footballing journey as a youngster with Alfreton Town before being snapped up by Barnsley.

He made more than 100 appearances for the Tykes and then was snapped up for £600,000 by Cardiff City, where he featured more than 150 times and was player of the season in 2004-05.

He has also had loan spells with Stoke City and Colchester United. Plymouth


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - BARKER MAKES ARGYLE SWITCH
Chris Barker has joined fellow Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle on a three-year deal.
Barker, who joined the R's from Cardiff City last summer, follows former R's team-mate Simon Walton to Home Park.
The left back made 26 appearances in all competitions for the R's.
Everyone at the Club wishes Chris all the best for a successful future. QPR


Just over a year ago: QPR Trumpeting the signing of...Chris Barker


June 5, 2007 : QPR Sign Chris Barker on a Free
Tuesday, June 05, 2007

QPR Sign 27-year Old Cardiff Defender, Chris Barker on a Free Transfer

QPR Official Site

We are delighted to announce the free transfer signing of Cardiff City left back Chris Barker.
The 27 year-old, who spent last season on loan at Championship newcomers Colchester United, has put pen to paper on a two year deal at Loftus Road.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, gaffer John Gregory revealed his delight at the signing: "He's one I've been interested in for some time, so I'm delighted he's signed.
"He excelled in a very successful Colchester side last year and he was a firm favourite at Cardiff before the arrival of Dave Jones.
"There were four or five other Clubs in this division pursuing him, so it's quite a coup for us.''
After being voted the Cardiff City Supporters' Player of the Year in 2004/05, Barker found himself surplus to requirements following the arrival of Dave Jones at Ninian Park.
Undeterred, the ever dependable left sided defender joined Colchester in mid-August and quickly established himself as the first choice left back at Layer Road, having initially signed on loan until January.
That move was eventually prolonged until the end of the 2006/07 season and Barker, who won many admirers for his consistent performances on the left hand side of the U's defence, made 39 appearances in all competitions for Geraint Williams' side.
Widely regarded as the U's most impressive defender during a campaign which saw them exceed all expectations with a tenth place finish, Barker's season ended on a sour note when he was forced to sit out the final game of the campaign after receiving a red card against Stoke City, a ban which still has three games to run.
Barker will wear the number three shirt, vacated by Mauro Milanese. QPR

CARDIFF CITY OFFICIAL SITE - BARKER LEAVES NINIAN PARK
QPR Have Signed Former Cardiff City left back Chris Barker on a permanant transfer.
The 27-year-old defender, who has appeared in 144 league games for the Bluebirds after joining from Barnsley for £600,000, has agreed a permanent transfer to Loftus Road.
Ironically Chris' biggest game for Cardiff came against his new employers; he played in the 1-0 win in the League One Play Off final at the Millennium Stadium which saw QPR's chances of promotion shattered with an Andy Campbell wonder strike.
Chris Barker appeared in 38 league games for Colchester on loan, but will now join up with John Gregory's QPR team Championship side.
We would like to wish Chris all the best and thank him for his time at Ninian Park.
Cardiff

South Wales Echo - Barker signs for QPR By Mark Bloom
CARDIFF City full-back Chris Barker has signed for Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers, we can reveal.
Barker, who was on loan to Colchester for much of last season, was today flying out to Greece for a holiday after signing for the London club last night.
“I had no future with Cardiff and I wanted to sort things out before my flight this morning, now I can relax,” he told the Echo as he prepared to board the plane.
“I’m happy things are sorted. I enjoyed my time at Cardiff but the writing was on the wall that I didn’t figure in the manager’s plans.
“I had several options but the move to QPR excited me and I hope to help them challenge for promotion next season.”
Barker’s departure ends a five-year spell for him as a City player having joined the club in July 2002 from Barnsley for £600,000 under the managership of Lennie Lawrence...IC Wales Barker Signs

Also: Chris Barker Talks About Signing for QPR