QPR Sign Southampton's Spanish Midfielder, Inigo Idiakez on Loan

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QPR Official Site
SPANIARD SIGNS

QPR are delighted to announce the signing of Southampton play-maker Inigo Idiakez on a one month loan deal.

The 33 year-old Spanish midfielder has today (Friday) penned a one month loan deal with the R's.

A player with exceptional technical ability, Idiakez - who was born in San Sebastian - is available to make his QPR debut in the Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.
The Spaniard - who will be available up to and including the trip to the Ricoh Arena on Saturday 7th April - will wear the number 28 shirt.
Gaffer John Gregory revealed his delight at the midfielder's arrival: "He's somebody that I have kept a very close eye on, but never in my wildest dreams did I think that he would become available,'' he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"He can be an outright match-winner on his own.
"He will certainly become a crowd favourite and if he helps us to stay up this season, could quite easily become a legend in a very short space of time."
The Saints snapped up Idiakez on transfer deadline day, August 2006.
George Burley swooped for Derby's ace midfielder for the second time in his managerial career, having originally signed him for the Rams two years earlier.
"He's somebody that I have kept a very close eye on, but never in my wildest dreams did I think that he would become available.'' JG on Idiakez
The cultured engine-room midfielder made a huge impact in his first campaign on English soil, quickly earning himself a huge reputation for his set-piece specials.
In his first full season at Pride Park, he helped the Rams finish fourth in the Championship and scooped the Player of the Year award.
In just over two years at Derby, he found the net 22 times in 94 appearances.
An experienced midfielder, Idiakez began his career in Spain with Real Sociedad and went on to notch close to 300 appearances in La Liga, during spells with Real Oviedo and Rayo Vallecano.
"He will certainly become a crowd favourite and if he helps us to stay up this season, could quite easily become a legend in a very short space of time." JG on Idiakez
*A full interview with the R's new signing will be available exclusively on QPR World early next week. QPR

SOUTHAMPTON OFFICIAL SITE
Inigo Idiakez has joined QPR on a month's loan.
The Spanish playmaker was a key part of the Saints side until he picked up a thigh injury at home to Hull in November.

That ruled him out for a month and although he got back briefly, he suffered a recurrence of the problem at Christmas and was sidelined for a further month.
Since then he has been unable to get back in the team given the form of the players in front of him.

With fewer Reserve fixtures in the Pontins Holidays Combination League, the summer signing from Derby needs to play more games to maintain match sharpness.
And with Danny Guthrie coming in on loan from Liverpool, Saints have taken the chance to give Idiakez a run of competitive games after he shone against QPR Reserves at Staplewood last week.

Manager George Burley said: "Inigo is a quality player who has been unlucky with a couple of niggling injuries which have taken time to heal.
"While he has been out, other players have come in and seized their chance which shows the benefit of having strong competition for places.

"Inigo needs to be playing competitive games to maintain his sharpness and when QPR asked to borrow him, it was an ideal chance for him to play.
"And as QPR play Derby, West Brom and Preston during that month, Inigo can still play an influential role in our promotion push!"
Southampton

What was said when he signed for Southampton in the Summer
Burley hails bargain buy

Friday Sep 01 2006 12:25
Southampton boss George Burley believes the £250,000 deal to sign Inigo Idiakez from Derby County will prove to be the bargain of the summer transfer window.

Burley brought the Spanish midfielder to England during his time in charge at Derby and has been impressed by how well the free-kick specialist has coped with the transition.

Twenty goals in 88 league outings for the Rams made the 32-year-old one of the most sought after players in the Championship and the Saints had to show real persistence to get their man.

Burley told Southampton's official website: "When we initially spoke to Derby they were understandably reluctant to let him go but in the end we got him for what I think is a very reasonable price.

"When I first took him to Derby he adjusted to the English game immediately. There were no problems there - but then Inigo is a top class midfield player.

"Over the past two years he has been one of the best players in the Championship. His goal record is impressive and he is the type of player that will get your team passing.

"He may be 32 now but that is not a problem because he's in very good shape. He is fit as a fiddle - that is one of his attributes." Football