Tottenham’s Ryan Nelsen set to join Queens Park Rangers
New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen will join Queens Park Rangers on 1 July after his contract expires at Tottenham Hotspur
Ryan Nelsen has agreed to join Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer from Tottenham Hotspur on 1 July on an initial one-year deal.
The 34-year-old scored once in eight appearances for Spurs after Harry Redknapp signed the New Zealand international from Blackburn Rovers in January.
It is the second time Nelsen will work under Mark Hughes after the QPR manager signed the defender when he was in charge at Blackburn in 2005.
“I am really pleased to be joining QPR. I have obviously got a lot of history with the manager and that was a massive draw for me,” said Nelsen.
“I like his winning attitude. He and all his staff just have an absolute desire to win, and that’s what the Premier League is all about. If you haven’t got that, you won’t be successful.
“The owners have got fantastic ambition and it’s exciting to become a part of that. There’s a real buzz about the place and it is a privilege to be here.
“I have got the Olympics coming up and that will be a good way for me to get prepared.”
Nelsen has made more than 170 Premier League appearances since moving to England from Major League Soccer outfit DC United in 2005.
And Hughes believes the New Zealand captain has a lot to offer QPR next season.
“I am delighted to bring Ryan to the club. I know what he is all about and what he can offer us, both on and off the pitch,” said Hughes.
“He hasn’t played a lot of football in the past year or so but he is fit, raring to go, and looking forward to representing his country at the Olympics.
“Ryan has got great experience in the Premier League and that is something our squad is lacking a little bit at present.
“He’s a fantastic professional with a great work ethic and it will benefit the younger lads in the group to see how he goes about his work.”
