ÀNGEL Rangel has extended his stay with QPR until the end of the season.

The experienced defender – who initially signed until January when he joined in mid-August – has put pen to paper on a new deal until June 2019.

Rangel has made an instant impact in W12 and has been a near ever-present since arriving, making 16 appearances as well as scoring twice from right-back.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds United, Rangel told www.qpr.co.uk: “I’m delighted to be able to stay until the end of the season. The club wanted me to stay so I didn’t think twice about it.

“Since day one the gaffer, the coaching staff and everyone around the club has been fantastic with me. I’ve played a good amount of games too, which has been great.”

Rangel, who was out of contract in the summer following his release from Swansea City, added: “The main reason I signed is because I feel you have to be grateful in life.

“In the summer I had a difficult time not finding a club and the gaffer gave me that opportunity. I could have looked somewhere else but I’m grateful to be here so I took the chance to stay here straight away.”

The Spaniard also thanked the R's faithful, who helped him celebrate his 36th birthday last week by voting him QPR’s Player of the Month for November.

“The fans have been fantastic to me,” he said. “I just want to give as much as I can back to them as well as the other lads here, and hopefully we can continue to do that together.”

R’s boss Steve McClaren gave his reaction, adding: “I’m delighted we’ve extended Àngel’s contract and have him for the rest of the season.

“When he first arrived he wasn’t fit, but he has worked so hard. We didn’t realise the kind of impact he would make, not just on the field but off it too.

“When I first came in I wanted to surround this young group not just with experience but good professionals and good role models – Àngel is perfect for that.”