Adel Taarabt extends QPR contract

Adel Taarabt today ended speculation over his QPR future by signing a new long-term contract at the club.

The 23-year-old joined the west Londoners from Tottenham in August 2010 following two successful loan spells and has long been linked with a move away from Loftus Road.

Paris St Germain seemed Taarabt's likely destination last summer but he remained with the west Londoners, who he has now signed a three-year contract extension with.

"I am very pleased to have signed this contract," Taarabt told the club's official website, qpr.co.uk.

"When I first arrived here I honestly thought it would be just for a short period but I love this club and the people here have really helped me and I am very happy to be here.

"I had a tough start to the season last year, but I worked hard and I have really enjoyed it under Mark Hughes.

"The club is getting bigger and bigger, with a new training ground and talk of a new stadium is very exciting.

"In the time I have been here, QPR's ambition has changed.

"Last year the aim was to stay in the Premier League. We achieved this and now we want to progress and improve.

"Nobody is speaking about what we can achieve but we really want to move up the Premier League."

As well as signing a new deal, Taarabt has been handed the number 10 jersey at QPR - worn previously by the likes of Stan Bowles, Rodney Marsh and Kevin Gallen.

The move, which will see the vacated number seven shirt worn by new signing Park Ji-sung, has been welcomed by the Morocco international.

"This means a lot to me personally," he said.

"I was happy with the '7' but I know '10' is very important at QPR. Special players like Bowles and Marsh have worn this.

"The club told me that the fans want me to have this shirt. So if this makes the fans happy too, it is even better for me."

Taarabt has made 123 appearances so far for the Hoops in all competitions, scoring 29 goals.

The Morocco international captain the side to the npower Championship title in 2010/11 and, although he initially struggled to make the step up to the top flight, was on form in the second half of last season as the Rs retained their Premier League status.

Taarabt credits Mark Hughes for his transformation and the QPR manager was quick to express his delight at the new deal.

"It is important that we keep good, young players at QPR because that is going to drive what we want to do and Adel is a big part of that," he said.

"There is no question he can produce moments of skill that not many players can.

"And you need those game-changing players who can do something unexpected because that can be the difference between winning and losing in tight games.

"Adel had a period here where it was a little bit difficult for him and the club, but he came through that.

"When I came to the club, in my eyes it was a clean slate for him and he had a real opportunity to be part of what we are doing."

PA