QUEENS PARK RANGERS
AT THE RIVERSIDE
LAURI COX introduces this afternoon’s opponents...
Manager Ian Holloway As a midfielder, he began his career at hometown club Bristol Rovers in 1981, going on to play for Wimbledon, Brentford, Torquay United (on loan), back to Bristol Rovers for a second spell, Queens Park Rangers and, finally, a third spell back at Bristol Rovers, where he became player-manager before ending his playing career in 1999. He has also managed Queens Park Rangers, Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City, Blackpool and Crystal Palace. As he did with Blackpool three years earlier, Holloway managed Crystal Palace to promotion to the Premier League in May 2013, but after the club had won only one of their opening eight games he left, by mutual consent, on October 23, 2013 after less than a year in charge. On January 6, 2014 Holloway signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Millwall; this was terminated in March 2015. He re-joined Queens Park Rangers as manager on November 11, 2016.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
www.qpr.co.uk Ground Name Loftus Road | Capacity 18,439 | Nickname The R’s
12 Jamie Mackie Position: Striker Nationality: Scottish DOB: 22.09.1985
ONE TO WATCH
Began his career at Wimbledon, progressing through the club’s youth system making his first-team debut in December 2003. A squad member when the club was renamed and moved to Milton Keynes, he made few appearances before joining Conference side Exeter City. He spent time on loan with Sutton United in 2005 and later signed for Plymouth Argyle. He joined QPR in May 2010. In 2013, he joined Nottingham Forest before a loan at Reading in 2014. Has represented Scotland at full international level.
43
1 Alex Smithies
5 Nedum Onuoha
Position: Goalkeeper Nationality: English D.O.B: 05.03.1990
Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 12.11.1986
Smithies previously played football for Westend Juniors in Huddersfield’s local leagues, and joined the Huddersfield Town academy at the age of eight. He signed professional terms with the club in 2007, and made over 200 appearances before moving to QPR in 2015. Represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels.
Born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, Onuoha was brought up in Manchester and attended the Manchester City Youth Academy. He had a loan spell with Sunderland in 2010, before moving to QPR in 2012. Represented England at U20 and U21 levels.
2 Darnell Furlong Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 31.10.1995
Having impressed at junior level, Darnell signed his first professional contract with QPR in March 2014. Has had loan spells with Northampton, Swindon and Cambridge United. Furlong is the son of former Queens Park Rangers striker Paul Furlong, who is currently an Academy coach at the club.
3 Jake Bidwell Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 21.03.1993
Bidwell grew up in Southport and joined the Academy at Everton aged 11. For two seasons he
6 Joel Lynch Alex Smithies
played as a goalkeeper. Switching to left-back, he progressed to the club’s U18 team. Had two loan spells with Brentford, before making the move permanent in 2013. Signed for The R’s in 2016. Bidwell represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels.
4 Grant Hall Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 29.10.1991
Transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in October 2009 after a successful trial period from non-league side Lewes. Moved to Tottenham in 2012, and had loan spells with Swindon, Birmingham and Blackpool before moving to QPR in 2015.
Position: Defender Nationality: Welsh D.O.B: 03.10.1987
Lynch came through Brighton & Hove Albion’s youth set up. Had a loan move to Nottingham Forest, before making it permanent in 2009. He then joined Huddersfield in 2012, followed by QPR in 2016. Has represented Wales at full international level.
7 Luke Freeman Position: Midfielder Nationality: English D.O.B: 22.03.1992
Freeman started his career at Charlton Athletic, before joining Gillingham at the age of 11. He made his first-team debut
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY Queens Park Rangers originated from the amalgamation of two teams in 1885 – St Jude’s and Christchurch Rangers. The club’s name changed to QPR in 1887. Tony Ingham holds the record for the most appearances for the club – 519 from 1926-34. In 2001 two QPR supporting brothers – the Wintons – bought two players out of their own pockets. QPR were the first club in Britain to install an Astroturf pitch (at Loftus Road) in the early eighties, following years of waterlogged surfaces.
44
Luke Freeman
for Gillingham at the age of 15, becoming the youngest ever player to appear in the FA Cup. In January 2008, Freeman signed for Arsenal. Had loan spells with Yeovil and Stevenage, before joining QPR in 2017 from Bristol City. Has represented England at U16 and U17 levels.
single season he moved to Galway United. Joined QPR in January 2015. Represented the Republic at U17, U19 and U21 levels.
15 Steven Caulker Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 29.12.1991
8 Jordan Cousins Position: Midfielder Nationality: English D.O.B: 06.03.1994
Cousins began his career with Charlton and won the League One Apprentice of the Year award in 2012. Joined Queens Park Rangers in July 2016. Has been capped by England at U16, U17 and U18 level. In May 2014 he was called up to the U20 squad.
9 Conor Washington Position: Striker Nationality: Northern Irish D.O.B: 18.05.1992
Began his career with non-league St Ives Town, joining Newport County in 2012. After helping them return to the Football League via the Play-Offs, he transferred to Peterborough United in January 2014. Two years later, he signed for Queens Park Rangers. Born in England, Washington qualified for Northern Ireland through a grandparent. He made his senior debut for the team in March 2016 and was chosen for that year’s European Championship
Conor Washington
October that year he was loaned to Hemel Hempstead, then joined Eastbourne Borough on loan in August 2012, and in January 2015 left Wycombe to join Barnsley. Joined QPR this year after being released by Barnsley.
14 Ryan Manning Position: Midfielder Nationality: Irish D.O.B: 14.06.1996
Manning started his career playing for Mervue United in the League of Ireland First Division. After a
16 Ariel Borysiuk Position: Midfielder Nationality: Polish D.O.B: 29.07.1991
Born in Biała Podlaska, Borysiuk made his debut in the Ekstraklasa in February 2007 at the age of 16 years. He is also Legia’s youngest-ever goalscorer. Joined 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 2012, and had loans with Volga and Lechia Gdansk, before moving to the latter. He then re-joined Legia, before moving to QPR in 2016. Represented Poland at U17, U19, U20, U21 and full levels.
17 Matt Smith Position: Striker Nationality: English D.O.B: 07.06.1989
11 Josh Scowen Position: Midfielder Nationality: English D.O.B: 28.03.1993
Scowen came through Wycombe Wanderers’ youth system, making his professional debut in 2011. In
Caulker is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur Academy and spent a season’s loan at League One Yeovil Town in 2009/10. He followed this loans at Bristol City and Swansea City, before a permanent move to Cardiff. Represented Team GB at the 2012 Olympics, and made a full England debut in 2012 against Sweden, scoring a goal. He joined QPR in 2014, and has had loans at Southampton and Liverpool.
Josh Scowen
Smith spent a year as a trainee at Cheltenham Town, before being released at the age of 18 and gained non-league experience with New Mills. Smith joined
US v THEM: Games won: 15 Games drawn: 15 Games lost: 17 45
Oldham in May 2011. Had a loan with Macclesfield, before moving to Leeds in 2013, and Fulham in 2014. Following a loan at Bristol City, he joined QPR this year.
18 Jack Robinson Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 01.09.1993
A product of the Liverpool Academy, Robinson is the secondyoungest player to have played for Liverpool, having made his senior debut at the age of 16 years and 250 days. He had loan spells with Wolves and Blackpool, before joining QPR in 2014. Has had a loan spell with Huddersfield. Represented England at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels.
19 Sean Goss Position: Midfielder Nationality: English D.O.B: 01.10.1995
Born in Germany, Goss joined the Exeter City youth system aged eight. In July 2012, he joined the Manchester United Academy. In January 2017, having never made a senior appearance for Manchester United, Goss joined QPR. He made his professional debut on 1 February 2017. Has represented England U19s.
20 Alex Baptiste Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 31.01.1986
Experienced defender who needs no introduction to Boro fans. A hard-working defender whose career never really got going at the Riverside after breaking a
FUN FACT QPR have played their home games in 18 different locations since they were formed in 1886, starting at Welford’s Fields (18861888) and currently at Loftus Road - their home since 1963.
leg on his debut in a pre-season friendly at York, later joining Sheffield United on loan when regaining fitness. Impressed while on loan with Preston last season, returning to us in the summer. Now back with the manager with whom he probably enjoyed his most successful spell when playing with Blackpool.
21 Massimo Luongo Position: Midfielder Nationality: Australian D.O.B: 25.09.1992
Born in Sydney, Luongo played youth football for APIA Leichhardt Tigers before moving to England to play for Tottenham, where he started his professional career. Following a loan at Ipswich Town, he played on loan at Swindon, a move later made permanent. He joined QPR in 2015. Luongo has played for the Australian national team since 2014.
22 Pawel Wszolek Position: Midfielder Nationality: Polish D.O.B: 30.04.1992
Born in Tczew, Poland, Wszolek played at the academies of Wisla
Massimo Luongo
Tczew, Lechia Gdansk and rejoining Wisla Tczew before he left for Polonia Warsaw in the summer of 2009. He moved to Sampdoria in 2013, and had a loan spell with Hellas Verona, before making the move permanent. After moving to QPR on loan in 2016, he made that deal permanent in 2017. Represented Poland at U17, U18, U19 and full international levels.
23 Yeni Ngbakoto Position: Midfielder Nationality: Democratic Republic of the Congo D.O.B: 23.01.1992 Pawel Wszolek
COMMON DENOMINATORS
35 Kazenga LuaLua Position: Winger Nationality: Democratic Republic of the Congo D.O.B: 10.12.1990
Alex Baptiste, Mikkel Beck, Marcus Bent, Andrew Davies, Kieron Dyer, Fabio, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Emmanuel Ledesma, Don Masson, Ishmael Miller, Dave Thomas, Luke Young.
Ngbakoto began his football career at SC Clemenceau in the French commune of Besançon. He joined their Academy in 2007, turning professional in 2009. Joined QPR in 2016. Represented France at U17 and U18 levels, but is a DR Congo full international.
Kazenga LuaLua
36 David Wheeler
24 James Perch Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 28.09.1985
Perch was born in Mansfield, and began his career at Nottingham Forest, signing professional terms in 2004. He moved to Newcastle in 2010, then Wigan in 2013. Joined QPR in 2015, and has made over 50 appearances.
27 Olamide Shodipo Position: Midfielder Nationality: Irish D.O.B: 05.07.1997
Shodipo was born in Dublin, before moving to London, and QPR in 2012. He signed a twoyear contract extension in April 2016. Spent the second half of last season on loan at Port Vale. Represented Republic of Ireland at U19 and U21 levels.
28 Reece Grego-Cox Position: Striker Nationality: Irish D.O.B: 12.11.1996
He joined QPR in 2010 from Bedfont Eagles U14s and made his debut in the Premier League in March 2015. In late 2016, he had a loan at Newport County. Born
A product of Newcastle United’s Academy, LuaLua was on loan at Doncaster and Brighton as a youngster, before moving to the south coast permanently when his time on Tyneside came to an end in 2012. Spent five years with Brighton before a loan spell with QPR. Younger brother of Lomana, Kazenga signed for a second time on loan in the middle of last month in a deal that will keep him at Loftus Road until next January.
in England, Grego-Cox chose to represent the Republic of Ireland – up to U21 level.
32 Niko Hämäläinen Position: Defender Nationality: Finnish D.O.B: 05.03.1997
Born in Florida, Hämäläinen started his youth career with Wellington Wave, followed by FC Florida and FC Dallas. He signed professional terms with QPR in 2014, and has had a loan spell with Dagenham & Redbridge. Hämäläinen, a youth international for Finland, was born and raised in the United States, and is of Finnish descent through his father.
34 Bright Osayi-Samuel Position: Winger Nationality: Nigerian D.O.B: 31.12.1997
Signed from Blackpool in the closing hours of the transfer deadline. A lively right winger, he made his debut for the Tangerines in 2015 and has made over 40 appearances for Blackpool last season and was named EFL Player of the Month for March.
Position: Winger Nationality: English D.O.B: 04.10.1990
Signed from Exeter City on transfer deadline day. Started his career with Brighton before being released and joining Lewes. After a three-year stay, he transferred to Staines, from where, after two years, he joined Exeter.
40 Idrissa Sylla Position: Striker Nationality: Guinea D.O.B: 03.12.1990
Born in Guinea, Sylla started his career with Le Mans, signing professional terms in 2010. He had a spell on loan with Bastia, before moving to Zulte Waregem. Signed a permanent deal with Anderlecht in 2015, before joining QPR in 2016. Has represented Guinea at full international level.
LET’S GET SOCIAL @qprfc OfficialQPRFC officialQPR 47
LAURI COX introduces this afternoon’s opponents...
Manager Ian Holloway As a midfielder, he began his career at hometown club Bristol Rovers in 1981, going on to play for Wimbledon, Brentford, Torquay United (on loan), back to Bristol Rovers for a second spell, Queens Park Rangers and, finally, a third spell back at Bristol Rovers, where he became player-manager before ending his playing career in 1999. He has also managed Queens Park Rangers, Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City, Blackpool and Crystal Palace. As he did with Blackpool three years earlier, Holloway managed Crystal Palace to promotion to the Premier League in May 2013, but after the club had won only one of their opening eight games he left, by mutual consent, on October 23, 2013 after less than a year in charge. On January 6, 2014 Holloway signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Millwall; this was terminated in March 2015. He re-joined Queens Park Rangers as manager on November 11, 2016.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
www.qpr.co.uk Ground Name Loftus Road | Capacity 18,439 | Nickname The R’s
12 Jamie Mackie Position: Striker Nationality: Scottish DOB: 22.09.1985
ONE TO WATCH
Began his career at Wimbledon, progressing through the club’s youth system making his first-team debut in December 2003. A squad member when the club was renamed and moved to Milton Keynes, he made few appearances before joining Conference side Exeter City. He spent time on loan with Sutton United in 2005 and later signed for Plymouth Argyle. He joined QPR in May 2010. In 2013, he joined Nottingham Forest before a loan at Reading in 2014. Has represented Scotland at full international level.
43
1 Alex Smithies
5 Nedum Onuoha
Position: Goalkeeper Nationality: English D.O.B: 05.03.1990
Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 12.11.1986
Smithies previously played football for Westend Juniors in Huddersfield’s local leagues, and joined the Huddersfield Town academy at the age of eight. He signed professional terms with the club in 2007, and made over 200 appearances before moving to QPR in 2015. Represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels.
Born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, Onuoha was brought up in Manchester and attended the Manchester City Youth Academy. He had a loan spell with Sunderland in 2010, before moving to QPR in 2012. Represented England at U20 and U21 levels.
2 Darnell Furlong Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 31.10.1995
Having impressed at junior level, Darnell signed his first professional contract with QPR in March 2014. Has had loan spells with Northampton, Swindon and Cambridge United. Furlong is the son of former Queens Park Rangers striker Paul Furlong, who is currently an Academy coach at the club.
3 Jake Bidwell Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 21.03.1993
Bidwell grew up in Southport and joined the Academy at Everton aged 11. For two seasons he
6 Joel Lynch Alex Smithies
played as a goalkeeper. Switching to left-back, he progressed to the club’s U18 team. Had two loan spells with Brentford, before making the move permanent in 2013. Signed for The R’s in 2016. Bidwell represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels.
4 Grant Hall Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 29.10.1991
Transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in October 2009 after a successful trial period from non-league side Lewes. Moved to Tottenham in 2012, and had loan spells with Swindon, Birmingham and Blackpool before moving to QPR in 2015.
Position: Defender Nationality: Welsh D.O.B: 03.10.1987
Lynch came through Brighton & Hove Albion’s youth set up. Had a loan move to Nottingham Forest, before making it permanent in 2009. He then joined Huddersfield in 2012, followed by QPR in 2016. Has represented Wales at full international level.
7 Luke Freeman Position: Midfielder Nationality: English D.O.B: 22.03.1992
Freeman started his career at Charlton Athletic, before joining Gillingham at the age of 11. He made his first-team debut
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY Queens Park Rangers originated from the amalgamation of two teams in 1885 – St Jude’s and Christchurch Rangers. The club’s name changed to QPR in 1887. Tony Ingham holds the record for the most appearances for the club – 519 from 1926-34. In 2001 two QPR supporting brothers – the Wintons – bought two players out of their own pockets. QPR were the first club in Britain to install an Astroturf pitch (at Loftus Road) in the early eighties, following years of waterlogged surfaces.
44
Luke Freeman
for Gillingham at the age of 15, becoming the youngest ever player to appear in the FA Cup. In January 2008, Freeman signed for Arsenal. Had loan spells with Yeovil and Stevenage, before joining QPR in 2017 from Bristol City. Has represented England at U16 and U17 levels.
single season he moved to Galway United. Joined QPR in January 2015. Represented the Republic at U17, U19 and U21 levels.
15 Steven Caulker Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 29.12.1991
8 Jordan Cousins Position: Midfielder Nationality: English D.O.B: 06.03.1994
Cousins began his career with Charlton and won the League One Apprentice of the Year award in 2012. Joined Queens Park Rangers in July 2016. Has been capped by England at U16, U17 and U18 level. In May 2014 he was called up to the U20 squad.
9 Conor Washington Position: Striker Nationality: Northern Irish D.O.B: 18.05.1992
Began his career with non-league St Ives Town, joining Newport County in 2012. After helping them return to the Football League via the Play-Offs, he transferred to Peterborough United in January 2014. Two years later, he signed for Queens Park Rangers. Born in England, Washington qualified for Northern Ireland through a grandparent. He made his senior debut for the team in March 2016 and was chosen for that year’s European Championship
Conor Washington
October that year he was loaned to Hemel Hempstead, then joined Eastbourne Borough on loan in August 2012, and in January 2015 left Wycombe to join Barnsley. Joined QPR this year after being released by Barnsley.
14 Ryan Manning Position: Midfielder Nationality: Irish D.O.B: 14.06.1996
Manning started his career playing for Mervue United in the League of Ireland First Division. After a
16 Ariel Borysiuk Position: Midfielder Nationality: Polish D.O.B: 29.07.1991
Born in Biała Podlaska, Borysiuk made his debut in the Ekstraklasa in February 2007 at the age of 16 years. He is also Legia’s youngest-ever goalscorer. Joined 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 2012, and had loans with Volga and Lechia Gdansk, before moving to the latter. He then re-joined Legia, before moving to QPR in 2016. Represented Poland at U17, U19, U20, U21 and full levels.
17 Matt Smith Position: Striker Nationality: English D.O.B: 07.06.1989
11 Josh Scowen Position: Midfielder Nationality: English D.O.B: 28.03.1993
Scowen came through Wycombe Wanderers’ youth system, making his professional debut in 2011. In
Caulker is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur Academy and spent a season’s loan at League One Yeovil Town in 2009/10. He followed this loans at Bristol City and Swansea City, before a permanent move to Cardiff. Represented Team GB at the 2012 Olympics, and made a full England debut in 2012 against Sweden, scoring a goal. He joined QPR in 2014, and has had loans at Southampton and Liverpool.
Josh Scowen
Smith spent a year as a trainee at Cheltenham Town, before being released at the age of 18 and gained non-league experience with New Mills. Smith joined
US v THEM: Games won: 15 Games drawn: 15 Games lost: 17 45
Oldham in May 2011. Had a loan with Macclesfield, before moving to Leeds in 2013, and Fulham in 2014. Following a loan at Bristol City, he joined QPR this year.
18 Jack Robinson Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 01.09.1993
A product of the Liverpool Academy, Robinson is the secondyoungest player to have played for Liverpool, having made his senior debut at the age of 16 years and 250 days. He had loan spells with Wolves and Blackpool, before joining QPR in 2014. Has had a loan spell with Huddersfield. Represented England at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels.
19 Sean Goss Position: Midfielder Nationality: English D.O.B: 01.10.1995
Born in Germany, Goss joined the Exeter City youth system aged eight. In July 2012, he joined the Manchester United Academy. In January 2017, having never made a senior appearance for Manchester United, Goss joined QPR. He made his professional debut on 1 February 2017. Has represented England U19s.
20 Alex Baptiste Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 31.01.1986
Experienced defender who needs no introduction to Boro fans. A hard-working defender whose career never really got going at the Riverside after breaking a
FUN FACT QPR have played their home games in 18 different locations since they were formed in 1886, starting at Welford’s Fields (18861888) and currently at Loftus Road - their home since 1963.
leg on his debut in a pre-season friendly at York, later joining Sheffield United on loan when regaining fitness. Impressed while on loan with Preston last season, returning to us in the summer. Now back with the manager with whom he probably enjoyed his most successful spell when playing with Blackpool.
21 Massimo Luongo Position: Midfielder Nationality: Australian D.O.B: 25.09.1992
Born in Sydney, Luongo played youth football for APIA Leichhardt Tigers before moving to England to play for Tottenham, where he started his professional career. Following a loan at Ipswich Town, he played on loan at Swindon, a move later made permanent. He joined QPR in 2015. Luongo has played for the Australian national team since 2014.
22 Pawel Wszolek Position: Midfielder Nationality: Polish D.O.B: 30.04.1992
Born in Tczew, Poland, Wszolek played at the academies of Wisla
Massimo Luongo
Tczew, Lechia Gdansk and rejoining Wisla Tczew before he left for Polonia Warsaw in the summer of 2009. He moved to Sampdoria in 2013, and had a loan spell with Hellas Verona, before making the move permanent. After moving to QPR on loan in 2016, he made that deal permanent in 2017. Represented Poland at U17, U18, U19 and full international levels.
23 Yeni Ngbakoto Position: Midfielder Nationality: Democratic Republic of the Congo D.O.B: 23.01.1992 Pawel Wszolek
COMMON DENOMINATORS
35 Kazenga LuaLua Position: Winger Nationality: Democratic Republic of the Congo D.O.B: 10.12.1990
Alex Baptiste, Mikkel Beck, Marcus Bent, Andrew Davies, Kieron Dyer, Fabio, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Emmanuel Ledesma, Don Masson, Ishmael Miller, Dave Thomas, Luke Young.
Ngbakoto began his football career at SC Clemenceau in the French commune of Besançon. He joined their Academy in 2007, turning professional in 2009. Joined QPR in 2016. Represented France at U17 and U18 levels, but is a DR Congo full international.
Kazenga LuaLua
36 David Wheeler
24 James Perch Position: Defender Nationality: English D.O.B: 28.09.1985
Perch was born in Mansfield, and began his career at Nottingham Forest, signing professional terms in 2004. He moved to Newcastle in 2010, then Wigan in 2013. Joined QPR in 2015, and has made over 50 appearances.
27 Olamide Shodipo Position: Midfielder Nationality: Irish D.O.B: 05.07.1997
Shodipo was born in Dublin, before moving to London, and QPR in 2012. He signed a twoyear contract extension in April 2016. Spent the second half of last season on loan at Port Vale. Represented Republic of Ireland at U19 and U21 levels.
28 Reece Grego-Cox Position: Striker Nationality: Irish D.O.B: 12.11.1996
He joined QPR in 2010 from Bedfont Eagles U14s and made his debut in the Premier League in March 2015. In late 2016, he had a loan at Newport County. Born
A product of Newcastle United’s Academy, LuaLua was on loan at Doncaster and Brighton as a youngster, before moving to the south coast permanently when his time on Tyneside came to an end in 2012. Spent five years with Brighton before a loan spell with QPR. Younger brother of Lomana, Kazenga signed for a second time on loan in the middle of last month in a deal that will keep him at Loftus Road until next January.
in England, Grego-Cox chose to represent the Republic of Ireland – up to U21 level.
32 Niko Hämäläinen Position: Defender Nationality: Finnish D.O.B: 05.03.1997
Born in Florida, Hämäläinen started his youth career with Wellington Wave, followed by FC Florida and FC Dallas. He signed professional terms with QPR in 2014, and has had a loan spell with Dagenham & Redbridge. Hämäläinen, a youth international for Finland, was born and raised in the United States, and is of Finnish descent through his father.
34 Bright Osayi-Samuel Position: Winger Nationality: Nigerian D.O.B: 31.12.1997
Signed from Blackpool in the closing hours of the transfer deadline. A lively right winger, he made his debut for the Tangerines in 2015 and has made over 40 appearances for Blackpool last season and was named EFL Player of the Month for March.
Position: Winger Nationality: English D.O.B: 04.10.1990
Signed from Exeter City on transfer deadline day. Started his career with Brighton before being released and joining Lewes. After a three-year stay, he transferred to Staines, from where, after two years, he joined Exeter.
40 Idrissa Sylla Position: Striker Nationality: Guinea D.O.B: 03.12.1990
Born in Guinea, Sylla started his career with Le Mans, signing professional terms in 2010. He had a spell on loan with Bastia, before moving to Zulte Waregem. Signed a permanent deal with Anderlecht in 2015, before joining QPR in 2016. Has represented Guinea at full international level.
LET’S GET SOCIAL @qprfc OfficialQPRFC officialQPR 47
