'Deal done' - QPR to beat Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City to Premier League signing

QPR are believed to have finalised the loan signing of talented Newcastle United full-back Harrison Ashby on Deadline Day, beating competition from Championship rivals.

Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City were named by The 72 as other second tier sides who had been hopeful of bringing the former West Ham man in on a season long loan from Tyneside. However, the Magpies have viewed Marti Cifuentes and his project at Loftus Road as the ideal environment for the 22-year-old to develop his game.

Football Insider reports that the player is 'set to join' QPR today with an agreement reached between the R's and Newcastle United. The two sides worked together last season to send Isaac Hayden on a short loan spell to London, which worked well for the player.

There had been talk of Hayden returning to Loftus Road this season but those rumours have since quietened down and it is a Newcastle United defender who will play his football for QPR this season.

Ashby only signed for Newcastle United in January 2023 with the Premier League outfit paying a reported £3 million to West Ham to sign the rising star. The Scotland under-21 star is yet to feature for the Magpies' first team but has turned out for the under-21 side.

The full-back, who is usually deployed at right-back but can play further up the wing, spent last season on loan at Swansea City. He made just 16 appearances in all competitions in Wales, 13 of those coming in the Championship, as his season was ravaged by injury.

Explaining his position on Ashby's future at St James' Park last summer, Eddie Howe was clear that the investment by the football club was for the long term. He said: "He’s certainly made improvements since he’s joined us. He’s had a couple of hamstring injuries initially, which set him back. He’s training, he’s doing well. He’s certainly a player we believe in for the future."