Caulker Completes QPR Move from Cardiff

Queens Park Rangers (QPR) have completed the signing of Steven Caulker from Championship side Cardiff City for a fee believed to be £8.5m.

The England international centre-back a has signed a four-year deal with the Premier League new comers.

The move marks a return to London for the 22-year-old who left Tottenham Hotspur, where he once played under QPR manager Harry Redknapp, to join Cardiff last year.

Steven Caulker Completes QPR Transfer from Cardiff City. Image: QPR.
Steven Caulker Completes QPR Transfer from Cardiff City. Image: QPR.

His arrival comes shortly after Rangers landed former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on a free transfer.

“Harry was a big factor for me, having worked with him at Tottenham. He was very keen for me to join and that was a big plus,” said Caulker.

“Being able to play with Rio (Ferdinand) was also a big draw. He has been a role model of mine for many years. To have the opportunity to play alongside him was something I felt I couldn’t miss out on.”

Caulker stood out for the Liberty Stadium outfit last season, playing 38 league games and scoring five goals, though could not help the Welsh club avoid relegation.

Cardiff were replaced by QPR in the top-flight after the latter won the Championship playoff in May to bounce back instantly to the Premier League a season after relegation.

Redknapp had in a previous briefing reassert his optimism in seeing through a move for the defender, saying he expects Ferdinand’s arrival to lure the Englishman whose only England cap came in a friendly game against Sweden in 2012.

“It’s an important signing for the club – for the here and now, and for the future,” said Redknapp. “I had him at Tottenham and was very surprised when they decided to let him because I thought he had a big future there.

“He’s already a fine player but he has so much more potential – it’s a really excellent signing. I couldn’t be more pleased to have him.”