Caulker completes £8m move to QPR
QPR have completed the signing of England international Steven Caulker from Cardiff City.
The 22-year-old centre-back has signed a four-year contract and will join his new team-mates on their pre-season trip to Germany.
West London Sport recently revealed that Rangers had made an offer for Caulker and subsequently that they were in talks with him – and that they remained hopeful of bringing him to Loftus Road despite reports he had chosen a move to Crystal Palace.
Southampton made an approach last week but R’s boss Harry Redknapp remained confident the Hounslow-born player would opt for a return to west London.
He said: “I know the ability he has and I think it’s an important signing for the club – for the here and now, and for the future.
“I had him at Tottenham and I was very surprised when they decided to let him go last summer, because I thought he had a big future there.
“He’s a good age and he’s already a fine player but he has so much more potential – it’s a really excellent signing for the club.
“When good players like Steven become available, who can come in and have a real impact, you’ve got to try and get them.”
Redknapp gave Caulker his Tottenham debut in a 4-1 League Cup defeat against Arsenal in September 2010.
The defender had loan spells at Yeovil, Bristol City and Swansea and also played in the Great Britain side at the London 2012 Olympics.
Full England recognition came later that year, as the under-21 graduate scored on his senior debut in the 4-2 defeat to Sweden.
Caulker joined Cardiff last summer, in a deal worth £8m, and, although he was an ever-present at the heart of the defence, he was unable to prevent them returning to the Championship.
Now he’s opted for a move to Loftus Road, Caulker will be playing Premier League football again, alongside Rio Ferdinand, who joined the club from Manchester United this summer.
Caulker said: “I am very excited to be here. It was important for me to be back playing in the Premier League, and Harry Redknapp has given me the opportunity to be at this fantastic club.
“Harry was a big factor for me, having worked with him at Tottenham. He was very keen for me to join and that was a big plus, knowing the manager wants you.
“Being able to play with Rio was also a big draw. He has been a role model of mine for many years, along with Ledley King.
“To have the opportunity to play alongside him was something I felt I couldn’t miss out on.”
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