28 - Heidar Helguson
Icelandic international striker Heidar Helguson signed for QPR in January 2009 after a successful loan spell from Bolton.
DOB - 22/08/1977
Height - 5ft 10ins
Weight - 12st 1lbs
Contract - 2011
Helguson endured a tough start to his QPR career, missing an open goal at Crystal Palace with his very first touch for the club, however he soon settled down and made an impression as both a target man and goal scorer. He bagged his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw at Plymouth and followed that up with a brace against Preston at Loftus Road.
After scoring three goals in seven appearances the 31 year old has penned a deal to the end of the 2010/11 season in January 2009 for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £500,000. He suffered with injury in the second half of the season but scored twice in a three goal win at Blackpool and QPR looked a much more effective force with him in the attack.
Helguson scored 64 goals in five years at Watford before playing in the Premiership for Fulham. His move to Bolton in 2007 proved to be ill-fated though with injuries and poor form restricting him to ten appearances and two goals so although he is dropping a division to join Rangers the chance of a move south and first team football has proved to be incentive enough.
He has 37 caps and five goals for Iceland.
Manager Paulo Sousa said: “Heidar has proved to be a valuable addition to the squad in recent weeks and I am delighted we have managed to bring him here on a permanent deal. He is a proven goal scorer at this level and I am sure the QPR supporters will join me in welcoming him to our family.”
The permanent signing, for an undisclosed fee, went through somewhat smoother than his original capture on loan. QPR announced the signing on the official website prior to an away game at Watford but when Helguson did not even make the bench at Vicarage Road it transpired that he was still with Bolton after a hitch with the deal. The club remained silent for another three days as Helguson also failed to appear in the home match with Charlton but he then did eventually join Rangers in time to play at Crystal Palace. That confusion has never been explained and it is not clear whether the sudden departure of long serving secretary Sheila Marson was linked to the deal. Paulo Sousa's sacking came after he revealed details of Helguson's fitness and medical history with the club to supporters, among other things.
| Career Stats |
|---|
| Club | Season | Apps(as sub) | Goals |
| QPR | 2008 - 09 | 15(6) | 5 |
| Bolton | 2008 - 09 | 1(1) | 0 |
| Bolton | 2007 - 08 | 5(3) | 2 |
| Fulham | 2006 - 07 | 20(14) | 4 |
| Fulham | 2005 - 06 | 17(12) | 10 |
| Watford | 2004 - 05 | 43(3) | 20 |
| Watford | 2003 - 04 | 22(2) | 9 |
| Watford | 2002 - 03 | 33(2) | 12 |
| Watford | 2001 - 02 | 11(29) | 7 |
| Watford | 2000 - 01 | 25(13) | 9 |
| Watford | 1999 - 00 | 14(2) | 6 |
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