QPR captain Onuoha agrees two-year extension

QPR have tied captain Nedum Onuoha to a new deal – averting the possibility of them losing the defender on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Onuoha, 28, whose contract was due to expire next summer, has committed himself to the club until 2018 by signing a two-year extension.

Rangers also want Charlie Austin to sign a new deal after the transfer window closed without any last-minute approaches being made for him.

Striker Austin, who had been widely tipped to leave Loftus Road, is also in the final year of his contract.

He previously declined to sign a new deal as Rangers struggled in the Premier League last season and were relegated.

West London Sport revealed in July that QPR were considering making a new offer to Austin, who missed out on a substantial pay increase while keeping his options open – another contract would address that while still leaving the door open for a potential move but, crucially, protecting the club from the prospect of losing him for no fee.

Director of football Les Ferdinand subsequently confirmed that Rangers were considering making the 26-year-old another offer.

Onuoha, meanwhile, re-signed immediately after the transfer window closed, having snubbed a potential move to Norwich after being made aware of their interest.

“As a player and a professional, Nedum epitomises everything we want QPR to be about,” Ferdinand told QPR’s website.

“He’s a wholehearted, committed individual – both on and off the pitch – and sets the standards by which we want everyone to follow.

“We’re really pleased to tie him down for another couple of years and I’m convinced he will only go from strength to strength in his time here.”

Head coach Chris Ramsey said: “Nedum is one of our most experienced players and him signing a new deal is fantastic news for everyone connected to the football club.

“He’s our captain, our leader, and his performances so far this season have been to an exceptionally high standard.”