QPR have today announced that experienced left back Chris Barker is leaving the club to sign for Championship rivals Plymouth Arygyle.

Barker joined the R’s little over 12 months ago on a free transfer from Cardiff City. He’d spent the 2006/07 season on loan at the Championship’s surprise package Colchester United and impressed so his capture by QPR was seen as something a coup at the time.

Sadly a harsh sending off towards the end of his time at Layer Road left him facing a three game suspension at the start of last season and when he did eventually make it back into the side he suffered with two separate hernia injuries and looked slow, off the pace and ineffective for most of his 26 apperances.

In January the former Barnsley man was replaced by Damien Delaney at left back at the writing was on the wall for Barker when he was left to play in the reserves’ games at Windsor and Hayes this summer rather than travelling to Scotland with the first team.

Barker has signed a three year deal with Argyle who also signed Simon Walton from QPR last week as they attempt to rebuild their squad after 18 months of departures.

Barker played in today’s 202 draw between Plymouth and Wolves however it could have been very different. Barker had to have team mates Steve MacLean and Jason Puncheon cut a ring off his finger with a hack saw when the referee refused to let him play wearing jewellery. Simon Walton also managed 90 minutes in the match against Mick McCarthy’s men.

Barker said: “I’ve got a nice scar on my finger, as I was walking out of the changing room the referee said ‘you are not allowed any rings, you’ll have to take it off’. I’ve had it on eight years, it was one my dad gave to me before he passed away. Hopefully we can mend it again.”

Manager Paul Sturrock said: “We have admired Chris from afar in the past. He has a wealth of experience after playing for several Championship teams. He is more than 6ft tall with a long throw and has great experience.”

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