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Lucas Andersen has completed a permanent move to Queens Park Rangers, joining on a free transfer after leaving Danish side AaB Aalborg.
The 29-year-old attacking midfielder is relishing the opportunity to experience English football for the first time, having previously played in the Netherlands and Switzerland, as well as Denmark.
“I am so excited,” he said. “This is a big opportunity, and I am really grateful and proud to represent the club and play in a historical stadium.”
“In Denmark, English football is very popular. You hear a lot about the Premier League and the Championship so I am really looking forward to it.”
“This is another dream come true for me. I will do everything to achieve what is possible.”
Andersen’s move to W12 sees him reunited with R’s head coach Martí Cifuentes, who he worked with for a year at Aalborg, and he admitted: “It will be amazing to join him again.”
“I know his playing style, and I know he knows my abilities, so it is a good start.”
Andersen, who spent four years with Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam between 2012 and 2016 and is known for his technical ability, is fully aware of the physical nature of England’s second tier – and he is ready for it.
“I am excited about that,” he said. “That is one of the things that I am looking forward to, to see the pace, see the level, see the quality.”
“It is all about playing smart and being quick in the mind.”
Andersen has been able to learn about some of QPR’s history through his agent Mikkel Beck, who enjoyed a loan spell with the club in 2000.
The forward made 11 appearances during a two-month period, scoring four times.
“He has a lot of good stories about the club,” Andersen said, “and he has told me about some goals that he scored.”
“It would be nice to use some of those quotes back on him!”
QPR CEO Christian Nourry said, “After our work last week, this is a very pleasing piece of business and I am delighted we have been able to find a solution to bring Lucas in.”
“He performed above the median as a line-breaking 10 specifically for our possession-based 4-3-3 conceptual shape in data screening and was crucially, given our situation managing profitability and sustainability regulations, available on a free transfer owing to his former club’s relegation.”
“The fact he has worked with Martí before – and given the fact there are just three months remaining of the season and the context that we are in – is a hugely significant bonus.”
“Everyone at the club will support them in their quest to create more special moments together.”
QPR’s gaffer Cifuentes said: “I am very happy we have been able to bring Lucas in.”
“He is a very nice addition to the squad, very professional and will add quality on and off the pitch.”
Cifuentes confirmed the versatility of Andersen is also a huge advantage, explaining, “He has played in different positions in his career, either as a winger or a No.10, but definitely one of the things we like from him is that he can play in different positions.”
“He is an offensive, attacking player that will be helpful for our strikers and our other attacking players. He is also very good at set-pieces.”
“He has international experience and I am happy that he can join us in this situation. He will add skills that we are looking for and I am sure he will prove that he is a quality player.”
Andersen will wear the No.25 shirt.
This transfer is subject to a work permit and international clearance.
