After the 2024/25 season, EFL clubs have submitted their retained lists. Several high-profile players have become free agents. One of those is Dijksteel, who leaves the Riverside Stadium after six years at the age of 28.

 

The full-back has only played for Boro and Charlton Athletic in his professional career, having joined the Addicks’ Development Squad in January 2016. He spent three years at The Valley before relocating to the Northeast.

Millwall and QPR linked defender available for free transfer

 

Dijksteel has made 153 Championship appearances in that time, including 33 in the second tier under Michael Carrick last season, where he was a regular starter. Despite his prominence in the team, the player has since left the club.

Middlesbrough released a statement confirming Anfernee Dijksteel’s departure after six years. Anfernee made 167 appearances after joining from Charlton in 2019 and scored three goals, including a stunning solo effort against Leeds last August.

That news will undoubtedly pique the interest of QPR and Millwall. The two London clubs were credited with transfer interest in the player by reporter Darren Witcoop at the end of April, and the opportunity to sign an experienced defender without a fee is particularly appealing.

Witcoop reported on social media platform X that both QPR and Millwall are interested in Middlesbrough’s out-of-contract defender Anfernee Dijksteel. Rangers have also targeted West Brom’s Darnell Furlong, with Jimmy Dunne set to leave Loftus Road.

That isn’t the only transfer rumour circulating around Loftus Road this weekend, despite QPR’s ongoing managerial crisis. Marti Cifuentes is on ‘gardening leave’, and the west London club plans to replace him as head coach.

QPR looking for a ‘natural finisher’ in League One

According to Football League World, despite uncertainty surrounding the coach’s future, the R’s are still pursuing transfer deals. The Royals are one of three Championship clubs considering a move for Barnsley star Davis Keillor-Dunn.

Wrexham and Oxford United have also expressed interest in the attacker, who scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Tykes last season, including 18 in League One. Barnsley did not make the playoffs, but Keillor-Dunn was a standout in his first season at Oakwell after joining from Mansfield Town last summer.

According to the report, there is a ‘fear’ that Barnsley will overpay for the player, making a transfer impossible. The versatile midfielder has two years remaining on his current contract with the club.

Former Barnsley head coach Darrell Clarke stated in January that the player is the team’s best natural finisher. That’s why we brought him to the football club.

“He is extremely intelligent both with and without the ball. He has demonstrated his quality over a long period of time in his career. He’s been in great form, and we’re thrilled to have him on our team.

“Not only that, but he’s an excellent teammate. He does not sacrifice the jobs that we need him to do in order to ensure that he is also good without the ball, which is very pleasing. He’s an intelligent footballer, and hopefully his hot streak will continue.”

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