Matthew Connolly quits QPR for Cardiff

 
22 August 2012

Cardiff have completed the capture of Matthew Connolly from QPR for an undisclosed fee.

The versatile defender underwent a medical this morning before signing a three-year contract with the South Wales outfit.

"Matthew Connolly has joined Championship club Cardiff City," a statement on QPR's website read.

"The 24-year-old has penned a three year-deal in South Wales, after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the defender's services."

Connolly started his football education at Arsenal before loan spells with Bournemouth and Colchester.

QPR swooped for his services in 2008 and he went on to play a big part in the London club's npower Championship title-winning campaign of 2010/11.

However, the 24-year-old, who can play in any position across the back, struggled to make an impact at Loftus Road last season and spent the latter part of the campaign on loan at Reading, again tasting promotion to the top flight.

Connolly's departure comes as QPR are understood to be close to sealing a deal for Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, while Real Madrid's Ricardo Carvalho is also being heavily linked with a season-long loan switch.

Connolly will hope to make his Cardiff debut in Saturday's Severnside derby at Bristol City.

QPR later announced that midfielder Hogan Ephraim has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Loftus Road until 2014.

Ephraim joined Rangers in 2007 and played regularly while the club was in the npower Championship.

The 24-year-old only featured three times for Rangers last term and was loaned to Charlton and Bristol City, but Hughes has still offered the former West Ham man a new contract.

"It's very pleasing to have my future sorted," Ephraim told QPR's website. "There's been a lot of player movement - both in and out - so I'm happy that I've signed and I know where my future lies.

"The manager has been very good to me ever since he arrived here. He backed me up with a new contract last year and now another one this season.

"Now I'm looking forward to try to force my way into the 25-man squad and stake a claim for a place in the team."

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