QPR picked Burnley’s pockets for outstanding transfer - he still loves the R’s | OneFootball

QPR were the major winners in this transfer scenario

QPR were major transfer winners when they secured Charlie Austin’s signature in 2013.

After suffering relegation from the Premier League, Rangers were on the lookout for some new blood that could propel them up to the top-flight once more.

During that summer, QPR went all out to ensure they were bringing in sufficient talent, recruiting the likes of Niko Kranjcar, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Richard Dunne.

Harry Redknapp had taken the R's down the previous term but was entrusted with the task of securing promotion in the Championship. Always one with a keen eye for a striker, the veteran coach scoured the market for his next talisman.

A number of players had impressed in the second-tier over the previous years, but QPR landed upon Charlie Austin as the man to lead their line.

The striker had signed for Burnley in 2011 after impressing at Swindon Town and carried that form on at Turf Moor. He had scored 24 goals in 37 Championship appearances for the Clarets, but they couldn’t resist accepting an offer of £4m from QPR for his services.

It wouldn’t take long for the hitman to repay that sum, quickly becoming Rangers’ most important operator over the next few years.

Charlie Austin shone at Loftus Road

As previously mentioned, it didn’t take long for QPR supporters to fall in love with Austin.

After initially starting off the bench whilst adapting to Redknapp’s system, Austin soon became the R's first-choice striker. Matchday six brought his first goal for the West London outfit, as he netted against Birmingham City.

This was all Austin needed to burst into life, as he would bag five more times in as many matches following the Blues clash, highlighting just how clinical he was to the Loftus Road faithful.

Injury issues hampered his progress somewhat and limited how much the forward could contribute to QPR’s promotion charge in the second half of the season. However, Austin was back in action for the final three matches of the campaign, striking in all three to secure Redknapp’s side a play-off finish.

He finished the main term with 17 goals, but the best was yet to come for Austin. The now 36-year-old was crucial once more to the R’s success, this time in the play-off semi-finals.

After drawing the first leg 0-0, Austin scored both goals in a 2-1 victory next time out to secure QPR’s place at Wembley. Bobby Zamora would steal the headlines there, netting a dramatic winner to take Rangers back up to the Premier League.

This is where Austin really began to make himself known to the rest of the nation, finishing the 2014/15 campaign as the Premier League’s fourth-highest scorer.

Despite netting 18 goals, QPR would still drop back down to the Championship and the striker would showcase his loyalty by remaining with the club.

He bagged nine times in 16 second-tier appearances the following term, which saw Southampton come calling in January. £4m was enough to take him off QPR’s hands and thus brought an end to their incredible time together.

Austin returned to Loftus Road in 2021 and would go on to score another 15 goals for the side before departing again to finally bring an end to his QPR career.

However, that wasn’t the end of their relationship.

After all this time, there is still a lot of love between QPR and Austin.

The time they spent together marked an extremely successful period for both parties, with the striker failing to hit similar heights to the ones he achieved at Loftus Road.

Clearly passionate about the R's, Austin often comments on the club via social media, offering messages of support and analysis on their performances.

“What a result well played,” the striker posted to X, after QPR beat Bristol City away from home earlier this campaign.

“Let’s hope QPR can keep this run going tough game ahead of course but the Rs fans be backing the lads,” commented Austin earlier in the season, encouraging the West London outfit to maintain their strong form.

He has been particularly vocal about Richard Kone, who progressed through non-league football to take the EFL by storm in a similar fashion to Austin.

“Great meeting and interviewing QPR striker Richard Kone, unbelievable story all the best this season URS,” stated the 38-year-old.

All in all, Austin clearly still has a lot of love for the Rs, and it is clear to see why. They gave him the platform to perform in the Premier League, which allowed him to enjoy a sustained career in the top-flight.