Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
The first signing of the Julian Stephan era has been confirmed at Queens Park Rangers as Reading ace Amadou Mbengue makes the step up from League One to the Championship.
It appears that the admiration between the Rangers newbie and QPR chief executive Christian Nourry, meanwhile, is very much mutual.
Because while Amadou Mbengue speaks out about the role Nourry played in luring him to Loftus Road, the club’s CEO clearly feels that Stephan’s appointment in South London has been followed by the arrival of a footballer who will provide plenty of useful qualities both on and off the pitch from here on out.
In what is turning into an extremely busy week at Queens Park Rangers, former Rennes coach Stephan arrived, predecessor Marti Cifuentes said goodbye, and Mbengue puts pen to paper ahead with his contract at third-tier Reading due to expire on July 1st.
A France-born central defender capped by Senegal at Under-23 level, Mbengue was one of the standout players in his position in League One last season.
Queens Park Rangers chief Christian Nourry explains Amadou Mbengue arrival
Reading finished seventh despite glaring off-field distractions.
Mbengue, meanwhile, ranked in the division’s top fifteen for successful tackles per game with an average of 2.3. The former Metz youngster will also bring versatility to Loftus Road, given that he has played plenty of games in the past at right-back.
Speaking to the official QPR website, the aforementioned Nourry insists that, in addition to his positional flexibility, Mbengue provides great awareness, impressive physical attributes, and also a fun-loving yet fiercely-competitive mindset.
“Amadou brings pace, power, defensive nous and an infectious personality to the first-team squad, as well as EFL experience,” Nourry says of a man who made 109 appearances during three years in Berkshire.
“We are pleased that he has chosen QPR to take his next step.”
QPR close in on Peterborough’s Kwame Poku and Australian Kealey Adamson
Mbengue is the first new face to don the blue and white Hoops since Cifuentes departed and Stephan arrived. He is unlikely to be the last.
QPR are pursuing Peterborough winger Kwame Poku, too. Another of League One’s standout talents. Kealey Adamson will be another potential right-back option in West London, meanwhile, should the 22-year-old Australian make the lengthy trip from the New South Wales-based Macarthur FC.
In terms of outgoings, QPR face a battle with La Liga outfit Espanyol as they look to hang onto the highly-regarded Jonathan Varane.
“I’m excited to meet the fans and to take my first steps in Loftus Road,” Mbengue smiles during his official unveiling as a new Queens Park Rangers player. “I am happy to be here and ready to work.
“I was talking with Christian (Nourry) and the idea and the project he has for the club is very, very good. We are on the same page and that is why I chose QPR. They have a lot of objectives for the future.
“I enjoy the game and I enjoy life. After a game when we win, I’m here to enjoy it with the fans. I think it’s important to make them happy.”