R'S SWOOP FOR MALI MIDFIELDER Posted on: Mon 30 Jan 2012 QPR have swooped to bring Mali midfielder Samba Diakite to Loftus Road on loan. The 23 year-old Nancy midfielder has put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season, after Rangers beat off stiff competition from a number of top Clubs for his services. Under the terms of the deal, Rangers have the option of exercising an agreement for a permanent transfer at the end of the 2011/12 campaign. Article continues Advertisement Diakite - who is currently on African Cup of Nations duty - flew in to London on Sunday afternoon to undergo a medical, before returning to the Gabon late last night to link up once again with his international team-mates. The formalities of the loan deal were completed this lunchtime. R's boss Mark Hughes believes the addition of the combative international will add greater depth to his midfield options, commenting: "Samba is a young player who has made an impression on French football. "There has been a lot of interest in him from top Clubs in France so we have done really well to get him in. "He is a good age, has got strength, power, can carry the ball and can score goals from midfield on occasions. "He will give us more physical presence and athleticism in the middle of the park so he is going to be a good addition." Diakite, who has made 15 Ligue 1 appearances for Nancy this season, said: "It is a dream to join a Premier League Club. "The Board and the Manager have big ambitions to achieve and I am delighted to join a Club with such goals. "I have always enjoyed watching English football and I can't wait to return from the African Cup of Nations and give my all for the Club. "It is a very exciting move for me." Good move to hopefully replace Ali F
Yeah, I heard it was next season too. If it becomes regular, managers are going to start thinking carefully about how many African players they have in their squad, because a mass exodus mid-season isn't helpful
the crowds arent even enough for non league teams either, its like a Fulham away game without any home fans!
