Richard Dunne has signed a one year deal with QPR.
Neil Lennon expressed an interest in the experienced defender at the end of last season after he was released by Aston Villa.
The signing of Virgil van Dijk, who fits into Celtic’s transfer policy put an end to any possible deal with a question mark over Dunne’s fitness after he missed the whole of last season through injury.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp is a long time admirer of the Irish internationalist and moved quickly to snap the defender up ahead of his side’s bid to win promotion back to the Premiership.
“This is a great signing for us,” Redknapp told the QPR website. “He’s a top-class defender and a great guy. He’s a good character and just what we need.
“He was (Manchester) City’s Player of the Year four years running, and he will be fantastic at this football club. He’s exactly the type I’m looking for.
“Obviously he had his problems last season with the injury but there’s an agreement in place that if he breaks down, the contract can be ended. He’s confident he’ll be okay and from our point of view, if he doesn’t have any problems with it then we’ve just signed a very, very good centre-half.”
Dunne added: “I’ve been very close to signing for Harry on a couple of occasions and the opportunity to work with him really appealed to me. Players want to play for Harry and I’m no different.
“I know the club didn’t have a good season last term, but – having spoken to Harry, as well as Tony (Fernandes) – there’s a real determination to bounce back into the Premier League, which is where we all want to be.
“I’ve played in the Championship and won it with Manchester City, so hopefully my experience will benefit the team over the course of the season. It’s a good challenge for me and one I’m very excited about.”
Glad we body swerved that one, he’s nowhere near the player he was two or three seasons ago. Van Dijk is the future I’m afraid Dunne is the past. Fair play to him though should be a nice little earner for him to finish off his career.
Hail hail
Thank you QPR….if we are even considering such as Dunne / Doyle then we are goign backwards.
We should be looking for much better, young, hungry and more talented players bursting for a chance to prove themselves. Did we not learn from those two diddies Hooiveld & Dan the bombscare…..whoever recommended them should be on gardening leave permanently.
Both abysmal from day one then fell away.
I agree with you Lads.When I read That we are considering Players such as the two mentioned Then I Find It ImpossIble to defend The managers Position. We are all aware that the 20 million Kitty is no more,but neither should we be used to satisfy some spent force who wants to sign off on his career by playing for the club that Claims is his first love.I say If you dont want to line up and play when it matters in your career then we are not tolerateing ego trips when you are about to throw the towel in.