Rangers have been trying to get Cook back pretty much ever since the day he left. It was clear at the time of the sale that it was more a case of QPR being desperate for the money than the club wanting to sell or the player wanting to leave and after an unhappy 12 months on the other side of the Broadway Cook has returned to QPR on a season long loan deal.
The left winger is yet to make his competitive debut for Fulham after missing the first six months of last season with a knee injury picked up towards the end of his last spell with QPR. He spent the latter part of the season on loan with Rangers’ Championship rivals Charlton and played against the R’s at Loftus Road in April but left the field injured in the first half.
These fitness worries have forced QPR to look at an extended loan option rather than a transfer but LFW understands that a four year deal is on the table this time next year should Cook prove his fitness and Fulham agree to a sale.
Cook told the club’s official website: “I’m absolutely delighted to be back. Once it became clear I could leave Fulham there was only one club I wanted to move to. I had a great rapport with the supporters here in my previous spells and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the Loftus Road faithful again.
“I’ve spoken to a few of the lads recently and there’s a great belief that we can achieve something this season. The gaffer has made some astute signings over the summer and as a QPR player and a QPR fan I’m absolutely buzzing ahead of the new season.”
Manager Iain Dowie said: “Lee is a class act and will add to the already healthy options we’ve got in the attacking third. He’s a player I’ve admired for some time and I’ve actually tried to sign him a couple of occasions in the past. He’s proven at this level, has great quality and will certainly have some fire in his belly after a very frustrating season with Fulham.”
The man who probably worked harder than anybody else on this deal though is Gianni Paladini. The Italian clearly didn’t want to sell Cook last summer but in the end ha his hand forced and has made no secret of his desire to return Cook to Loftus Road since the club was taken over by Flavio Briatore.
Paladini certainly didn’t hide his delight that his hard work finally came to fruition telling the official website: “This is a truly special day for the football club. He’s a fantastic man, a great professional and an exceptional footballer. We’re really excited about his return and can’t wait to see him back in the famous blue and white hoops.”
Cook first signed for QPR in the 2002/03 season on loan from Watford for three months and his tricky wing play and devilish crosses caught the eye at Loftus Road. He returned to the club he supported as a boy permanently 18 months later when his Watford contract expired and QPR went to tribunal to set a fee.
His form was patchy and inconsistent under Ian Holloway but he excelled playing for first Gary Waddock and then John Gregory and walked away with the Player of the Year award for the 2006/07 season after a magnificent campaign. His form that season was enough to convince Lawrie Sanchez to spend £2.5m to take him to Craven Cottage but he never got the chance to show what he could do in the Premiership and will now attempt to return there with the club he supports.
Cook will be paraded before the QPR fans ahead of tomorrow’s game with Chievo Verona. Discuss this story on the Message Board
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