QPR announce O´Neil signing

QPR have completed the signing of midfielder Gary O’Neil on a one-year contract.

The 30-year-old was a free agent after refusing the offer of a new deal from Premier League side West Ham.

And manager Harry Redknapp, who also worked with O’Neil during his time in charge of Portsmouth, was delighted to add the former Middlesbrough player to his ranks.

“Gary’s a good player and a good pro,” Redknapp told the club’s official website.

“He was offered a new deal at West Ham but he decided he fancied coming here because he feels maybe he’ll get more game time at QPR.

“He can run all day long, he’s good on the ball, a good passer, he sees all the pictures in front of him and is a top professional.”

O’Neil is excited by the prospect of trying to achieve promotion straight back the Premier League and revealed Redknapp was a key reason for him signing.

“The challenge here is an exciting one,” O’Neil added.

“Obviously I know Harry well and he was a bit factor in me coming here. The promotion season we had under him at Portsmouth was fantastic.”

O’Neil joins the likes of Charlie Austin, Danny Simpson and Karl Henry in joining the Loftus Road outfit.