7 - Daniel Parejo

Flavio Briatore's contacts in Madrid enabled Rangers to pull of the coup of signing Madrid's Daniel Parejo on loan for the 2008/09 season.

DOB – 16/04/89
Height – 5ft 11ins
Weight – 11st 11lbs
Contract – 2009(loan)
Daniel Parejo was easily the most high profile capture of the 2008 close season when he arrived on a season long loan deal from Spanish giants Real Madrid. Parejo was the subject of an £8m bid from Arsenal back in January but Real only want to loan the promising youngster and have eyes on him as a possible future first teamer at the Bernebeu.

Parejo, a skilful central midfield player, scored for Real against Hamburg in a pre-season tournament at the Emirates Stadium the day before signing his deal at QPR. He is the leading light in the Spanish under 19 set up and is rated by the legendary Alfredo di Stefano as the brightest young prospect in the country.

He scored ten goals in 33 appearances in the lower Spanish leagues last season with Real’s nursery side.

Flavio Briatore said of the signing: "We are delighted to have agreed a deal to sign arguably the hottest prospect in European football. This is an incredible coup for Queens Park Rangers. I am eternally grateful to Ramon Calderon for giving QPR the opportunity to sign such a talented young player. Daniel is a great, young talent and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the QPR family.”

Iain Dowie said: "Daniel is a special talent. He's one of the stars of their academy, he gets it and gives it and is the link man we've been looking for. It shows the benefit of having Flavio Briatore's contacts and we're indebted to him and his relationship with Ramon Calderon that we've managed to bring in one of the brightest young prospects in Spain."

Daniel Parejo said: "I am very happy to be coming to London to play for QPR. When Madrid told me I could come here on loan I and my family were very excited. I had a very nice meeting with Mr Briatore and he has great ambitions for this club."

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