Former Arsenal man joins QPR as players leave

QPR have released five players and confirmed the arrival of former Arsenal coach Neil Banfield.

Jake Bidwell, Joel Lynch, Pawel Wszolek, Jordan Cousins and Alex Baptiste are leaving this summer when their contracts at Loftus Road expire.

Angel Rangel, whose contract is also about to finish, has been offered a new deal by the club.

Meanwhile, Banfield has been given the role of first-team coach by new manager Mark Warburton. John Eustace will stay as assistant manager.

Banfield had been working as a scout for Glasgow Rangers, having previously spent 21 years on the coaching staff at Arsenal.

“Neil is an outstanding coach,” Warburton told QPR’s website.

“He has vital experience which is going to benefit everyone at the club, not just at first-team level but with the academy too.

“Chris Ramsey oversees the academy and he has a wealth of experience as well so to have two individuals with that knowledge and talent will be great for QPR.

“I know John from my time at Watford. I know the qualities he had as a player on the pitch but also the qualities he had off the pitch and what he brought to the dressing room.

“There is no doubt about his qualities as a character and his desire for the game. He has a passion to learn and when you speak to John that comes across very clearly.”