Ex QPR talisman with 61 goals for club made free agent - still 'loves' Rs

Former QPR striker Charlie Austin is available on a free transfer this summer having been released by Swindon Town. The 34-year-old is one of 11 players leaving the League Two club after they avoided relegation this season.

Austin re-joined the side in December 2022 and is now in the market for a new club. The striker bagged 12 League Two goals in 46 appearances this season for the Robins.

A club statement published on Thursday at the end of their retained list read: "We would like to thank all the first-team players who will be leaving us upon the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, and we wish them all the very best in their future careers too."

Austin is a player well-known to QPR supporters, having spent three stints at Loftus Road. The talisman initially played for the Rs between 2013 and 2016 before returning on a loan spell from West Brom in 2021. He then signed again for the club after that loan deal before leaving in 2022 to join Brisbane Roar in Australia.

The former Burnley and Southampton man racked up a total of 148 appearances for QPR, more than at any other side, scoring 61 goals for the Hoops. Earlier this season, Austin gave his verdict on the side when they played Huddersfield Town.

Taking to X, he wrote: "Watched the first half of the QPR Huddersfield game! Advertisement of two teams struggling at its finest!"

He then added: "Looks like my comment regarding QPR’s first-half performance against Huddersfield has annoyed a few, I must say I love that club and so do my family so no bitterness at all when talking about the club! With the players they have they should be doing a lot better 10-7 top players."

Despite his history at the club, and QPR potentially in the market for a striker this summer, a reunion with Austin seems unlikely. Where the player ends up, or if he retires, remains to be seen.

When leaving the Rs in 2022, Austin shirked any idea of retirement and took issue with QPR wondering if that would be the next step for him. Explaining how he left Loftus Road to talkSPORT, Austin said: "I was on Zoom, the CEO was there and asked me about the season, a little bit of chat which was really pointless given the conversation went the way it did and then that was it.

"They said we can't offer you anything, wish you all the best. What annoyed me a little bit was they asked me if I'm going to retire. I'm 33!"