QPR must have had serious 1997 regrets over ex-Derby County, West Ham & Man City striker: View | OneFootball

QPR must have serious regrets over Paulo Wanchope, considering they decided against signing him after a his 1997 trial at the club.

There are not many things worse in football than watching a player succeed after being rejected by your club.

In 1997, Queens Park Rangers paid the price for making the wrong decision on a player who went on to achieve success in the Premier League, with Derby County, West Ham United and Manchester City.

That player was Paulo Wanchope.

Paulo Wanchope had 1997 trial with QPR

In 1997, QPR were in English football's second tier, having been relegated from the top flight the season before. Stewart Houston was the man in charge of the West London club, who were looking for a swift return to the promised land.

To achieve an instant return to the top flight, the Hoops required more firepower and one player who could have been added to the West London club's arsenal was Wanchope.

According to dcfc.co.uk, one of the men responsible for bringing the Costa Rican international to England was former Arsenal defender, Bob McNab. McNab watched Wanchope in action for his country in a World Cup 1998 qualifier against the United States of America.

According to the club's website, Wanchope made such an impression on the ex-Gunner, that he contacted the striker's club, Herediano, and requested that he be given a trial at QPR. The trial offered the forward a vital pathway into English football, and it was one that the Costa Rican could not let pass him by.

During his trial with the Hoops, Wanchope scored six goals in three practice matches, but despite his contributions, the striker was not offered a contract and made his way back to his homeland.

In heading back to Central America, Wanchope may have thought his chance of playing in England had gone, but he was given a second bite of the cherry and made QPR pay.

Paulo Wanchope offered Premier League contract, following a successful trial with Derby County

Despite not being able to secure a contract with the Hoops, Wanchope was given a second opportunity to impress in England.

A couple of weeks later, the Costa Rican was offered another trial, but this time with Premier League outfit, Derby. The striker trained with the Rams and was given the chance to impress then manager, Jim Smith, in two trial games.

Although Wanchope did not score in either of the trial matches, Smith had seen enough to be convinced by the forward and signed him on a permanent basis, along with his compatriot, Mauricio Solís.

It did not take the Costa Rican long to repay the faith shown in him by Smith as he netted on his debut for the Rams, scoring a solo effort in what was a rare 3-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Wanchope went on to have a successful stint at Pride Park and scored 25 goals in 77 appearances in all competitions, before joining West Ham United for £3.5m in 1999. Smith's decision to take on the Costa Rican was a wise one given his success on the pitch and the fee secured for his services.

Wanchope had spells with Premier League duo West Ham United and Manchester City

Following his move to Upton Park, Wanchope hit out at his former employers, describing his treatment at Derby as "horrible". The striker claimed he did not wish to leave Pride Park after being labelled a "disruptive influence", as per The Independent.

Although the Costa Rican only remained at the East London club for one season, he contributed 15 goals in 46 appearances, which included 12 Premier League goals. The forward also made an impact in Europe, scoring in both the UEFA CUP and the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

In 2000, Wanchope made the decision to sign for Manchester City in a deal worth £3.65m, as per BBC Sport. At the Citizens, Wanchope enjoyed four and a half years at the club and notched 29 goals in 75 appearances.

In 2007, Wanchope called time on his 12-year career, which included eight years in English football. The Costa Rican international ended his career with 44 goals in 73 appearances, which makes him the country's second-highest goalscorer to date.

Considering his career in England, QPR must be wondering what if? Given Wanchope's relative success in England's top flight, he could have worked wonders in the second tier for the Hoops.

Given Wanchope scored six goals in three trial matches for QPR, it is surprising the club did not offer the striker a contract.

QPR's loss was Derby's gain as Smith took a punt on the Costa Rican international by offering him a contract at Pride Park.

The rest was history as the forward enjoyed a couple of spells at West Ham United and Manchester City. Given his contributions in the Premier League, QPR