Football: QPR complete Remy signing
French international striker Loic Remy has joined Queens Park Rangers from Marseille on a four-and-a-half-year contract, the Premier League club confirmed on Wednesday. QPR said the transfer fee was a "club record" and reports in the British media suggested the London side had spent around �8 million ($12.8 million, 9.6 million euros) to acquire the 26-year-old's services. Remy had been linked with a move to Newcastle United but he revealed he had been swayed by his conversations with QPR manager Harry Redknapp and Malaysian chairman Tony Fernandes. "Harry played a big part in me coming here," he said. "I spoke to him and Tony Fernandes at length and they made it clear they wanted me here. They gave me the right motivation to join QPR. "I want to develop my game here. This season the objective is to stay up but beyond that we have greater objectives. "After seven years in France, this is the right time for me to pursue a new challenge in the Premier League -- the best league in the world." Redknapp had previously tried to sign Remy during his time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur and said he was thrilled to finally get his man. "I'm delighted to bring him in -- he's a great buy for us," said Redknapp, in quotes published on the club website. "He's always been a player I've admired. I've watched him on so many occasions throughout the last few years. "I actually spent three or four hours with him last year so he knew what I thought of him, and I think that was important. "He's quick, can score goals and makes great runs. His movement is excellent. He's got the potential to be a really outstanding striker." Remy, who will the number 18 shirt, could make his debut in Saturday's Premier League match with West Ham United, as long as he receives international clearance in time. A product of the Lyon youth system, Remy had a loan spell with Lens in 2008 and joined Nice later that year, before moving to Marseille in 2010. He has won 17 international caps for France, scoring four goals, but missed Euro 2012 through injury. Remy is QPR's second signing of the January transfer window, after Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim, and arrives to boost the club's hopes of hauling themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone.
