Austin Joins QPR

CHARLIE Austin has today (Thursday) signed for Queens Park Rangers from Burnley on an undisclosed fee.

The former Swindon Town marksman has netted a staggering 73 league goals in 121 starts in spells with both the Robins and Burnley.

The 24-year-old will wear the number nine shirt for Rangers and has penned a three-year deal at Loftus Road.

He will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s opening day fixture against Sheffield Wednesday in what could prove to be a landmark deal for the club.

Austin told QPR.co.uk: ‘Harry spoke to me at length about the ambition of the club and the desire to return to the Premier League and that`s where I want to be as well with QPR.

‘This is a really exciting time for me and I can`t wait to pull on the QPR shirt for the first time.’

Redknapp meanwhile was delighted to capture what he believes is a pivotal player to the R’s success: ‘Charlie`s an out-and-out goalscorer and we`re delighted to have him here.

‘He’s scored goals wherever he’s played throughout his career and I’m very confident he`ll take his game to the next level with us.’

He continued: ‘I’ve got no doubt that if we give him the right service he will score a lot of goals for us.

‘He’s young, he’s hungry and he’s up for the challenge of helping us get out of this division.’

Austin was due to sign for Hull City, but failed a medical with the Tigers electing to pull out of the deal for the forward.

He will now be hoping for debut goals after displaying some potent pre-season form for the Clarets.