A Day of Change: Delaney, Camp and Harbin Depart...Delaney Praises Ipswich...Bircham Incoming...QPR Off to Slovenia

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QPR ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

- John Harbin Departs

- Lee Camp Departs

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Delaney to Ipswich
QPR Official Site - DELANEY JOINS TRACTOR BOYS
- R's left back Damien Delaney has agreed a deal to join Championship rivals Ipswich Town.
- The 27 year-old defender has penned a two year-deal at Portman Road, after the R's accepted an undisclosed fee for the Republic of Ireland international.
- Delaney joined QPR from Hull City in January 2008 and went on to make 59 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals.
- The Club would like to place on the record its thanks to Damien for his contribution to the R's and wish him all the best for the future.

QPR


Ipswich Official Site - DAMIEN JOINS TOWN
- Republic of Ireland international Damien Delaney has joined Town from QPR for an undisclosed fee.
- The 27-year-old signed a two year contract at Portman Road this afternoon and will train with Blues for the first time on Friday.
- Damien started his career with hometown club Cork before joining Leicester in 2000. He spent two years with the Foxes, having loan spells at Stockport, Huddersfield and Mansfield in that time.
- He made 11 appearances for Leicester, then signed for Hull in 2002 where he went on to clock up more than 230 games.
- Damien joined QPR in January 2008, scoring three goals in his 59 appearances for the club.
- The left-back, who can also play in the middle of the defence, is capped twice by the Republic of Ireland, both appearances coming under current national team boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
- "I'm looking forward to the next step in my career here at Ipswich Town," said Damien.
- "I have spoken to the manager, Roy Keane, and it's clear that this club is very ambitious and I'm delighted to be part of trying to take the Club forward."
Roy added: "I'm delighted that Damien has agreed to join us. He's a player that I have kept an eye on for a while and I'm sure he will prove to be a valuable addition to our squad." Ipswich


Delaney Speaks - IPSWICH FANZINE "...
“I’m not getting any younger, I’m 27, 28, but I want to be successful and I want to get promoted and I want to do it while I’m in my prime. That was the biggest draw for me, the speed at which the club wants to do that.”
"....I see Ipswich as a better opportunity for me to progress and become a better player. It’s a chance to work with the manager and the players who are already here, which is too big an opportunity to turn down.
“I’m very pleased to be here. I’m pleased to be joining a club that’s moving in the direction it’s moving in. The appointment of Roy Keane as manager has shown the intentions of the football club and I want to be part of it, to come here and be successful and do the best that I can.
“Roy Keane being the man that he is isn’t going to come down here to the club for the sake of it," he added.
"He’s come down here to be successful. He’s an ambitious person and I’m an ambitious player. I’ve spoken to the manager already and he told me his plans – to get the club promoted - and the speed at which he wants to implement them and that’s what attracted me the most.”.....I know I’m only 28, but it’s a short enough career and hopefully I’m at my peak at the moment and I want to push on and get promoted when I’m at my peak....”
- Ipswich Fanzine


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - R'S HEAD TO SLOVENIA

Jim Magilton's First Team squad will step up their pre-season preparations with a tour of Slovenia later this month.

The R's will travel to Southeast Europe for an eight day tour between Monday 13th July and Monday 20th July.

During their stay, Rangers will play two pre-season friendlies against NK Celje on Wednesday 15th July and NK Karlovac on Sunday 19th July.

In-between times, the R's will continue their pre-season preparations at the luxurious Hotel Livada resort, based in Toplice.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Magilton believes the tour will serve as valuable preparation for the squad ahead of the season's opener against Blackpool on Saturday 8th August.

"It's a chance for a change of scenery for the lads and a good opportunity for the group to be together in a different environment," he said.

"Bonding is a key part of pre-season and a tour overseas provides the players with a great chance to mix with each other."

But it will be far from plain sailing for the R's, with Magilton and co. ready to crank up the intensity once the squad land in Ljubljana.

"We'll be working the boys really hard, as we have done over the last few days," he said.

"Clearly we'll have to work our training schedule around the two fixtures, but the emphasis will still be on building up their fitness levels ahead of the new season."

*Further details regarding the fixtures will follow in due course...

Who are NK Celje?

Based in Celje - Slovenia's third largest City - NK Celje are one of the oldest Football Clubs in their homeland.

They play their football in the Slovenian First Division, named PrvaLiga Telekom Slovenije, where they are one of only three Clubs who have participated in the top division since its formation 18 years ago.

Former players include West Bromwich Albion midfielder Robert Koren.

Who are NK Karlovac?

Based in the town of Karlovac, NK Karlovac clinched promotion to the Croatian top-flight - the Prva HNL - last season.

The Club finished runners-up in the second tier - the Druga HNL - last season and will now compete with renowned Croatian Club sides such as Hadjuk Split and Dinamo Zagreb in 2009/10.


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