QPR Transfer News: Charlie Austin Joins
Evening Standard. The 24-year-old is believed to have signed a three-year contract at Loftus Road and moves to west London a week after the club missed out on the signing of Gary Hooper, who opted to join Barclays Premier League side Norwich City instead. Austin himself might have been plying his trade in the top flight too had he not failed his medical at Hull City last month which eventually saw the move break down, but with Loic Remy possibly to leave shortly - the former Swindon Town striker quickly became Redknapp's number one choice. Speaking to the club website Redknapp said
"I've got no doubt that if we give him the right service he will score a lot of goals for us" adding that he is "very confident he'll take his game to the next level."Austin comes with a real pedigree having netted 28 goals last season and 45 in total for Burnley during his two and a half year stay at Turf Moor. Prior to that the former Poole Town striker who plied his trade as a bricklayer during his time in non-league football was with Swindon Town, where he netted a further 31 league goals at better than a goal every two games until his departure in January 2011. While Burnley now have the task of finding a replacement, the striker - who has been handed the number nine shirt at his new club - expressed his delight at putting pen to paper and says he hopes he can help QPR return to the top division at the first attempt.
"Harry (Redknapp) spoke to me at length about the ambition of the club and the desire to return to the Premier League. That's where I want to be as well. "This is a really exciting time for me and I can't wait to pull on the QPR shirt for the first time. I'll come in, give my all and hopefully score the goals that will ensure we have a memorable season."The striker is expected to go straight into the squad for the opening Championship fixture of the season at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, a game which has already sold out.