QPR and Millwall confirm 'aggressive' and 'strong' transfers just before deadline


QPR have finished Deadline Day with two new signings for the Development Squad as the Championship outfit continues to prioritise youth under the stewardship of Marti Cifuentes.
The season so far has seen Kieran Morgan, Rayan Kolli and Alfie Lloyd impress for the first team having made the step up from the academy and now two future stars have arrived at Loftus Road just before the transfer deadline for second tier clubs. They follow Ronnie Edwards and Yang Min-Hyeok at QPR's January signings.
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Hide AdThe first is full-back João Henrique, more commonly known as Esquerdinha, from Brazilian outfit Fluminense. The R's had already been linked with a move for the player and confirmation of those rumour came late on Monday evening.
QPR add two new Development Squad stars
Speaking to the club website, the defender said: "I'd like to say thank you to QPR for bringing me here. Now I want to play well, I want to do my job. This is a very exciting move for me.
"The club sold the project to me and really believe in what I can do as a player. They want to improve me so that one day, I can help the first team. I'm really excited to develop in my football now. I'm an offensive player who likes to keep possession, take shots and also put crosses into the box. I want to show what I can do as quickly as possible in order to make it to the first team."
QPR CEO Christian Nourry explained: "The club's new approach to being more aggressive with Development Squad signings continues today with the arrival of Esquerdinha.
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Hide Ad"He has demonstrated at youth level for Brazil, and in his limited minutes with Fluminense, that he has the potential to develop into an interesting talent in the context of our inverted full-back profile."
The second Monday night acquisition for the Development Squad came in Archie O'Brien from Hertford Town. The 17-year-old midfielder had been on trial with QPR and the club has taken the decision to make the move official. The number 10 was praised for his 'eye for a goal' and 'engine' by Nourry.
O'Brien said: "I want to progress as much as possible and succeed in whatever I am doing. I am just very excited.”
Millwall re-sign former striker from Rangers
Elsewhere in the Championship, Millwall have confirmed their signing of Zak Lovelace from Rangers after reports of a late swoop for the forward. The 19-year-old returns to the club having quit The Den for Scotland in 2022.
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Hide AdLovelace rose up through the Lions youth academy and made his first team debut for the side at the age of 15. He has re-signed for an undisclosed fee on a long term deal.
The striker has only played a fringe part at Rangers this term but has tasted European action in the Europa League. When confirming the deal, Steve Gallen, Millwall's Director of Football, told the club website: "I'm very pleased to be bringing Zak Lovelace back to the football club. Zak had been really keen to come back as well, so discussions have been going on for the past few weeks about it. I want to thank Glasgow Rangers for their help with this deal.
"Our supporters will be aware of Zak from his time here before. It feels like he is well into his career already, having made his Millwall debut in 2021, but we have to remember he is only 19-years-old - patience is required as he adapts to the demands of this League.
"Training and being around the first-team, under the guidance of Alex Neil, will be of huge benefit to him. He is a great athlete; big, strong, quick, dynamic, takes people on and gets crosses into the box and has shots on goal. It's another very good and young signing for us."
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