LONDON: Portuguese defender Jose Bosingwa, one of two Chelsea players sent off in a stormy 1-0 defeat at west London neighbours Queens Park Rangers in October, joined the Loftus Road club on a three-year deal on Friday.
The 29-year-old, twice a winner of the Champions League, moved to Rangers on a free transfer after being released by Chelsea following their European triumph last season.
Bosingwa, who was dismissed along with striker Didier Drogba at QPR last season, also won the Champions League with Porto in 2004.
“Jose has a lot of versatility which is something I like my players to have,” manager Mark Hughes told the club’s website (www.qpr.co.uk).
“He can operate right across the back and can also play the holding role in midfield.”
Bosingwa is Rangers’s eighth close-season signing.
“I’m really pleased to be here. I had the pick of many clubs but the project here excites me greatly,” said the former international.
“I played for Chelsea for four years and I love Premier League football and the supporters. It is fantastic for me to stay in England.”
Chairman Tony Fernandes believes the arrival of Bosingwa shows the progress the west London club has made.
“I think it speaks volumes of how far we’ve come as a club that we’re able to attract a double Champions League winner to Loftus Road,” he said.
“There was big competition from a number of Europe’s top clubs — including a few from the Premier League — for his signature, so I couldn’t be more delighted that we’ve managed to get him here.
“Mark (Hughes) and (scout) Mike (Rigg) are dovetailing superbly together to improve our squad and this latest addition excites me as much as the seven that have preceded it.”
