Jim Magilton has completed his first signing as QPR manager, smashing the club's transfer record to sign Argentinean midfielder Alejandro Faurlin in a deal worth up to £3.5m.

LoftforWords reported at the weekend that Rangers were planning to look at the 22 year old Instituto midfield player this week and possibly discuss terms. Things have moved on apace since then and the player has signed a permanent three year deal at Loftus Road this afternoon. He made 34 appearances in the top flight of Argentinean football last season.

The deal, which is subject to international clearance, is said to be worth £3.5m. This is a substantial commitment for Rangers to be making, particularly for a player with no experience of European football, but manager Jim Magilton today expressed his faith in his new man. Magilton told the club’s official website: “He is a good signing for the football club. We have had a good look at him and we believe he will be a valuable addition to the squad. He is a likeable young lad who plays the game with a smile on his face so we will have no problems.”

Faurlin says he turned down offers from elsewhere in Europe to move to Loftus Road. He said: “I am really pleased to be here in England, playing for a club like Queens Park Rangers. I know a lot about the English game and I really admire the ability of teams at this level. I am really looking forward to playing for the club and showing the manager, my fellow players, and the supporters what I can do. I had opportunities to play in Spain, Italy and Greece but QPR was my choice and I am delighted to be here. I was really impressed with the set up and the ambition of the club and I cannot wait to make my QPR debut.”

Magilton and his assistant John Gorman spent time scouting South American players with Ipswich’s scout Simon Hunt last season and landed Luciano Civelli as a result. This first capture for their new club would seem to be a product of those trips to the Southern Hemisphere rather than a deal brokered by QPR’s owners as with last summer’s capture of Faurlin’s fellow countryman Emmanuel Ledesma. Faurlin joins Ledesma, Gino Padula and Ossie Ardilles on the list of Argentinean players who have turned out for QPR.

Photo: Action Images

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