Steven Caulker
Steven Caulker Reuters

Queens Park Rangers have completed the signing of Steven Caulker from Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee. The English defender has signed a four-year contract with the west London club.

According to the Mail, the England international was allowed to travel to London after his former employers accepted the fee from QPR. Caulker was unveiled at Loftus Road on Tuesday.

The Englishman only joined Cardiff last summer from Tottenham, but has decided to move on following the Welsh club's relegation from the Premier Leaague.

The 22-year-old defender has played under Queens Park manager Harry Redknapp during his time at White Hart Lane, and this was one of the reasons he chose the Loftus Road outfit. Apart from returning to play in the Premier League, the player was keen to play for a club where he felt wanted.

"Harry was a big factor and Rio was also a big draw, it was important for me to be back playing in the Premier League," Caulker said, as quoted by the BBC.

"Harry was very keen for me to join and that was a big plus, knowing the manager wants you."

Another big draw that made the former Cardiff and Tottenham defender choose the Hoops was the presence of his long-time idol Rio Ferdinand, who was also signed from Manchester United during this transfer window.

Caulker revealed that an opportunity to play with his 'role model' Ferdinand is something he could not turn down.

"As for Rio, he has been a role model of mine for many years and to have the opportunity to play alongside him was something I felt I couldn't miss out on," the England international added.

QPR boss Redknapp is pleased to have landed Caulker, and feels that he has a player who is young, talented and can only improve further.

"Steven is young, he's a good age and he's already a fine player - but he has so much more potential and it's a really excellent signing for the club," Redknapp said.

"He's got everything to be a top, top centre-half, so I couldn't be more pleased to have him."

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