Les Ferdinand offers his assessment on Massimo Luongo and Ben Gladwin

Pair signed from Swindon Town on Thursday

Ferdinand previously worked with Australian Luongo at Tottenham

DIRECTOR of Football Les Ferdinand has praised new signings Massimo Luongo and Ben Gladwin for spurning the advances of Premier League clubs in favour of regular first team football at Loftus Road.





The duo – who both signed three year contracts in W12 on Thursday – each had opportunities to move to top-flight clubs, but opted for a move to Loftus Road instead.





Ferdinand believes that shows exactly the right characteristics that QPR will require in the 2015/16 campaign, commenting: “There were big clubs courting both Mass and Ben, but they’ve come here because they want to play and develop as players.





“They could’ve easily opted to go to a Premier League club, where their playing opportunities would’ve probably been more limited, but they’ve shown a great desire to come here and wear the QPR shirt, and it’s that kind of hunger that we’re looking for when we recruit this summer.”





“They’re hungry, they’re excited and they’re keen to show the QPR fans why they’re so highly-rated.”









FLARE: Ferdinand hopes Massimo Luongo will add some spice to QPR's side





Ferdinand added: “We’re trying to get business done early.





“We’ve lost a lot of players – those who are out of contract and those whose loans are up – so we want to get a head-start in the market if we can.





“This is a signal of our intent, because these two lads were in great demand from a lot of clubs, including a couple from the Premier League.





“They are both players of great potential, but they are very-much in the development stages of their careers. I know QPR fans want to see players such as Mass and Ben at the club, and I ask them to give the pair support and patience as they continue to grow as players.”









Ferdinand and QPR Head Coach, Chris Ramsey, worked at close quarters with Luongo during his time in the Tottenham Hotspur Academy and the former is confident the Australian international midfielder will thrive under their guidance once again in W12.





“Both myself and Chris have known Mass for some time,” Ferdinand told www.qpr.co.uk.





“He’s a player we’ve always believed could play at a high level and this is an opportunity now for him to step up from League One into the Championship at a club that will give him a chance to play.





“His energy and dynamism from midfield are just what you need in the Championship.





“He’s already a very good player – he was voted player of the tournament in the Asia Cup earlier this year – but there’s so much more to come from him.





“He wants to learn and he wants to develop – he will only get better at QPR, I’m convinced of that.”









FAVOURITE: QPR's Director of Football believes Gladwin (above) will get the fans going





Gladwin’s rise to prominence from Non-League to Football League has been well documented in the last 18 months, and Ferdinand admits he sees similarities with how himself and Charlie Austin progressed through the ranks.





“Ben’s one of those great Non-League stories – someone who’s come out of the pyramid and really taken to life as a professional,” he said.





“He had an excellent season with Swindon last term, and with further coaching and development, he’s got a great opportunity take his game to the next level with us and really show everyone what he’s all about.





“The fans will love him – he’ll get them on their feet – and I’m sure he’ll relish the step up.”





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