Forward Charlie Austin joins Premier League outfit Southampton

Striker moves to the south coast side for an undisclosed fee

26-year-old leaves after scoring 48 goals in 89 appearances for the R’s

CHARLIE Austin has today (Saturday) joined Premier League side Southampton for an undisclosed fee.





The striker has signed a deal until 2020 with Ronald Koeman’s side.





QPR Director of Football, Les Ferdinand, told www.qpr.co.uk: “It’s no secret that Charlie is out of contract in the summer so this is a decision made in the best financial interests of the club.





“Charlie has had a significant impact on this Football Club in his time here and we are hugely grateful to him for his contribution during his spell with us.





“Whilst we are sorry to lose Charlie, once he expressed an interest in moving to Southampton, we could not stand in his way.''





The forward leaves Loftus Road after two-and-a-half years where he scored 48 goals in 89 appearances for the Hoops.





Austin joined Rangers from Burnley in August 2013 and went on to score 20 goals in 37 appearances in his first season, as he fired QPR back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.





During his debut campaign in the Premier League he went on to score a further 18 goals in 36 appearances, but was unable to prevent the R’s being relegated back into the Championship at the end of the 2014/15 season.





Despite injuries limiting him to just 16 appearances this year, the former Swindon Town forward has still managed 10 goals, with a hamstring problem meaning his last appearance for QPR was now a month ago when he scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.





Everyone connected with QPR would like to thank Charlie for his services and wish him all the best for the future.





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