QPR finally nailed down the signing of Ben Watson at the very end of the summer 2009 transfer window after an 18 month chase stretching back to his time with Crystal Palace.

DOB – 09/07/85
Height – 5ft 10ins
Weight – 10st 11lbs
Contract – Dec 2009 loan

Rangers have been chasing the signature of Watson, 24, for some time and thought they had their man in 2008 when he turned down a contract at Crystal Palace and told the Eagles he wanted to move to Loftus Road. Palace opwner Simon Jordan dug his heals in at the time and with Rangers unwilling to part with significant money for a player available on a free transfer in 12 months the combative central midfielder stayed at Selhurst Park for the start of the 2008/09 campaign. His form was good and attracted the attention of Premiership sides Wigan and Middlesbrough with Steve Bruce’s men winning the race for his singature in the January transfer window earlier this year.

Watson, who scored 20 goals in 189 appearances for Palace after graduating from their youth set up, impressed at the JJB Staidum in the second half of last season scoring two goals in 11 appearances. However a change of manager during the summer saw Bruce move to Sunderland and Roberto Martinez arrive from Swansea with the Swans’ talented midfielder Jordi Gomez in tow and Watson is yet to make an appearance for the Latics this season. Despite a plethora of midfield option salready in place Jim Magilton and Sporting Director Gianni Paladini have moved to secure the signing of Watson on a six month loan deal.

Manager Jim Magilton told the club’s official website: “Ben will prove to be a fantastic addition to the squad. He's got a proven track record in this division, as well as the Premier League, and I'm just delighted we've been able to bring him to the club. He is a box-to-box midfielder, who scores goals and puts his boot in - he's got all the attributes that you need to play in that central midfield role. Gianni has worked around the clock over the last 48 hours or so to get this done, and I'm indebted to him for that. There were a lot of other big, big clubs in for him, but Gianni and the board have pulled out all the stops, so I'm delighted."

Watson told qpr.co.uk: “I am delighted to be here. The quality of the squad here is excellent and I see no reason why we cannot be challenging for promotion this season. Everything about the club convinced me that this was the right move. I spoke with Flavio Briatore and Gianni Paladini as well as the gaffer and they all had a big influence on my decision. I am here to play football, win games and improve as a player. I feel I have something to prove and I intend to do that with QPR.”

Photo: Action Images

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