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- Joey Barton Denied US Visa!
- Now Official: Jay Bothroyd is now a QPR man!
QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE: ENGLAND ACE SIGNS
Posted on: Wed 13 Jul 2011
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of England international Jay Bothroyd.
The 29 year-old, who was called up to Fabio Capello's Three Lions squad last season following an incredible campaign with Cardiff City, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Loftus Road.
Bothroyd's move to QPR caps a return to W12 for the talented attacker, who was with the Club's Centre of Excellence from the age of nine before moving to Arsenal's youth set-up.
Islington-born Bothroyd, who left the Bluebirds upon the expiration of his contract at the end of last season, scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Welsh outfit last term, as Dave Jones' men narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to the top-flight.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk about his first piece of business this summer, a delighted Neil Warnock said: "In bringing Jay in, we have managed to secure an excellent player which augers well for the forthcoming campaign.
"We have been chasing him for a number of weeks and it has been frustrating at times.
"We have had to have a lot of patience with this but, as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait.
"We are now working hard to add another new face to the squad and we hope to have that done very soon."
Bothroyd, who will join up with his new team-mates for pre-season training later today (Wednesday), becomes the first full current England international to sign for QPR since Tony Currie in 1979.
"I spoke to the Manager and he told me how much he wanted me," Bothroyd told www.qpr.co.uk.
"He convinced me that this was the right place to be.
"He told me the direction that he wants to go in and the way he wants to play.
"I think this Club is heading in the right direction and has got a lot of ambition."
Bothroyd added: "I want to be playing against the best players in the world.
"I got a taste of that when I joined up with the England squad, and hopefully I can do well for QPR and get back into the squad.
"People say that I'm a 'one-cap wonder' and I want to get that second cap to put that to bed.
"You want to play at the highest level and the only way to do that is by producing for your Club week in, week out.
"That's what I'm looking to do."
*The deal is subject to the approval of the relevant paperwork by the FA, FWA and Premier League. QPR
QPR Official Site -OTHROYD: ‘START OF SOMETHING SPECIAL’
Posted on: Wed 13 Jul 2011
Although the ink has hardly had time to dry on Jay Bothroyd's three-year contract with the R's, the gifted front-man feels that 'this could be the start of something special,' as Neil Warnock's men prepare for life amongst England's elite for the first time in 15 years.
Bothroyd, 29, put pen to paper in W12 this morning (Wednesday) and will train with his new team-mates at Hampton School later today.
In an exclusive interview with www.qpr.co.uk, the striker revealed that he can't get wait to get started.
Bothroyd said: "I'm sure all the lads will welcome me and I can't wait to be involved.
"QPR's a great Club with a lot of history.
"I was here as a boy when I was nine years old - this was my first Club before I went to Arsenal. Twenty years later, I'm back and it's good to be here!
"Coming back to London played a big part for me too. I can be around my family, which is great.
"The last time I played in London was six years ago. I can't wait to get going."
The former Cardiff City striker saw Rangers at first hand last year, having twice played for the Bluebirds against Warnock's charges.
Bothroyd even netted a spectacular opener in QPR's thrilling 2-2 draw in South Wales back in April.
And he believes that, from what he saw, the R's have a fighting chance of doing well on their return to the top-flight next season - especially in front of a partisan Loftus Road crowd.
"QPR were resilient last season and scored a lot of goals," Bothroyd said, "We've definitely got a chance of staying in the Premier League next year.
"There are some talented players at the Club and I can't see why not.
"When I came to Loftus Road with Cardiff last season, it was like a cauldron.
"It was a great atmosphere, very intimidating. We need to carry that on next season.
"Home form is always key - especially in your first season back in the Premier League.
"Teams never really know what to expect when they come to Loftus Road.
"When I came here last year, I got a bit of abuse and the fans made it a bit tough for me!
"But now hopefully they can get behind me."
And there can be little doubt about that.
Under Warnock, the Loftus Road crowd have backed their team from the first kick until the last, and Bothroyd will be hoping that the support from the R's faithful can aid his - and QPR's - objectives next term.
He added: "Last year I scored 20 goals.
"I'm a forward, I like to assist and I like to be involved in build-up play and help others.
"As long as I'm contributing week in, week out, then I'm happy.
"The aim as a Club is to stay in the Premier League.
"I think it's very important to do that in your first season and build on that.
"This could be the start of something special." QPR
SKY - Bothroyd agrees QPR deal
Striker set to arrive at Loftus Road on initial two-year contract
Sky Sports sources understand that Jay Bothroyd has agreed to join Queens Park Rangers on a two-year contract with an option for an additional 12 months.
Skysports.com reported on Monday that the former Cardiff man had undergone a medical with the Loftus Road club and the deal has now progressed.
Bothroyd was a free agent after leaving Cardiff earlier in the summer, when his contract with the Welsh club ended.
QPR boss Neil Warnock consequently showed interest in the 28-year-old in the search for a goalscorer ahead of what will be a difficult season back in the Premier League.
Swansea were also linked with Bothroyd, but he ruled out a move to the Liberty Stadium due to his previous connection with Cardiff.
QPR were therefore left as the main contenders and Warnock is set to get a striker who scored 20 goals in all competitions last season.
The former Arsenal trainee was rewarded with a surprise England debut last November and has a career total of 88 goals from 354 appearances, having also had spells with Coventry, Perugia, Charlton and Wolves. Sky
- Bothroyd Stats
- QPR also linked in the press to Kieron Dyer: 30 games (half as subs) and no goals in the last four seasons at West Ham.
Mail QPR ponder pay-as-you play deal for perennial sicknote Dyer as Bothroyd joins Loftus Road
- Queens Park Rangers are close to finalising a pay-as-you-play deal for Kieron Dyer.
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- "Spot The Ball"
QPR Pre-Season Fixtures 2011/12
Friday 15th July - Harrow Borough (a) 7.15pm
Monday 18th July - Tavistock (a) 7.00pm
Wednesday 20th July - Plymouth Argyle (a) 7.45pm
Friday 22nd July - Bodmin Town (a) 7.15pm
Wednesday 27th July - Cesena (a) 8.30pm
Saturday 30th July - Trofeo Bortolotti Tournament (a) 8.00pm onwards
Tuesday 2nd August - Crawley Town (a) 7.45pm QPR
- Plaque Unveiling: 125 Years of QPR
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