With Tuesday evening’s confirmation that Queens Park Rangers had won through in what looked to be a pretty intense battle for former Brentford centre-half Yoann Barbet, manager Mark Warburton was naturally delighted with his third capture of the window.
With Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United just three that were linked with the French free agent since he announced he would be departing Griffin Park over the summer, our former Rangers and Brentford gaffer admitted that the personal touch had helped him convince Barbet to make the switch to Loftus Road.
Speaking to the Official Site the 50-year-old explained.
“Yoann is someone who knows the division well, having made more than 100 appearances for Brentford. He has displayed his attributes in that time and is a natural left-sided defender so I am delighted to have him join us. He is a technically outstanding player. He never hides from the football, he has quality distribution and he has presence on the pitch. A lot of people wanted him. So I flew out to see him, and to speak with him and his agent. You have to do what you have to do in order to secure the move and it’s great to get it over the line. It was good to have a number of conversations with him because you get a sense of what he wants out of his football career and what he is looking for in terms of a challenge. I am looking forward to working with him.”
Having signed a three year deal with us, Barbet himself was quick to say all the right things and it’s an incredibly impressive signing from where I sit and I can only assume the fans will take him quickly into their hearts and he’ll become a reliable and important cog in the defensive wheel at the club given what I’ve seen of him in recent years.
“I am really excited for this new challenge. QPR is a massive club with a big history so I am really happy. I will give everything. I am a really passionate player so as soon as I am on the pitch I give everything. I try to lead the team and to help other players, to make them confident. I will do my best to help them in a good way and the team to do as best as possible.”
Adding about Warburton’s influence on the deal going through.
“The manager made the difference for me. When you have a manager who wants you it is always good.”
Okay, so that’s all well and good, who’s number four. This summer certainly feels different to 12 months ago!
Last article: https://qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/praise-for-lumley-as-warburton-welcomes-two-new-competitive-animals-to-the-club/
