James Perch signs three-year deal at Loftus Road

Versatile defender pens three year deal in W12

Perch was named Latics' Player of the Year in his two seasons at the club

QPR have secured the signing of versatile defender James Perch.





Perch, 29, has signed a three-year deal at Loftus Road, after the R’s agreed an undisclosed fee with Wigan Athletic for his services.





Back-to-back Latics’ Player of the Year in each of his two seasons with the club since his £700,000 arrival from Newcastle United in July 2013, Perch – a virtual ever-present in his time at the DW Stadium – is relishing the opportunity to return to the Championship with QPR following Wigan’s relegation last term.





He told www.qpr.co.uk: “It’s great to be here and to have my future sorted out.





“Les and the gaffer sold the club to me brilliantly. They showed a great desire to bring me here, and that helped make up my mind.





“I know players who have played here before and they spoke about the club in good terms, so it was an easy decision for me.”





He added: “I’ve played in the Championship for quite a few years now and I know what to expect.





“It’s a tough division; it’s Saturday-Tuesday a lot of the time; there are no easy games, but we’ll front up the challenge head on and compete as best we can.





“I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting into the side and proving my worth at QPR.”





R’s Head Coach, Chris Ramsey, pinpointed Perch’s versatility as a key factor in bringing him to Loftus Road, adding: “James is a proven Championship performer, with great versatility across a number of positions.





“He can cover both full-back positions, centre-half and holding midfield, so he’ll be a real asset for us.









SIGNING ON: Director of Football, Les Ferdinand, was at Loftus Road to welcome James Perch ...





“He’ll add experience to a relatively young squad, so we’re delighted he’s put pen to paper.”





Director of Football, Les Ferdinand, added: “We’re really pleased James has agreed to join us.





“We know we’re quite light on numbers in the defensive third of the pitch, so James’ arrival is welcome.





“He’s got a wealth of Premier League and Championship experience, he’s in the prime of his career, and he ticks all the boxes in terms of his quality and character.”





Perch will wear the number 24 shirt, the same number he wore at Wigan.





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