Shrewd QPR transfer decision netted £5m cash windfall – They paid just £300k

Shrewd QPR transfer decision netted £5m cash windfall – They paid just £300k

Luke Freeman’s transfer to Sheffield United may go unnoticed in compared to stars like Eberechi Eze, despite Queens Park Rangers having made some outstanding acquisitions in recent years.

Between 2017 and 2019, the attacking midfielder, who joined QPR for an unknown price from Championship opponent Bristol City, was one of the most dynamic playmakers in the entire EFL.

The Somerset-born manager’s genius decision to bring Freeman to Loftus Road was praised by Ian Holloway, R’s then-gaffer, who admitted to have long admired the player.

The midfielder would play more than 100 games for the London-based team over two and a half seasons, scoring 16 goals and setting up another 25. In the end, this earned him a £5 million transfer to Sheffield United.

He only cost his former club £300k from Bristol City two and a half years prior, so they were thrilled to receive the cash windfall from the Blades for his services, even if his career went a plunge after leaving QPR.

Luke Freeman was a shining light in gloomy years for QPR

One of the most identifiable and striking names when thinking back on the QPR teams of the past is without a doubt Freeman, who had an incredible two-and-a-half-year stint at Loftus Road.

The aggressive midfielder had previously caught the Robins’ eye at Stevenage before joining from Bristol City in January 2017. He helped City win the Championship in his first season at Ashton Gate by contributing seven goals and eighteen assists in 46 games.

In the midst of the 2016–17 season, Freeman completed a £300,000 move to the Superhoops after impressing QPR manager Holloway with his inventiveness. He became a clear favourite in W12 after a great stint at the London club.

With two goals and four assists in 16 Championship games during his debut half-season, the midfielder raised hopes. He would go on to record five goals and 13 assists in his first full year in the city. He only missed one league game during the season, demonstrating his ability to be a consistent player who kept the R’s well clear of relegation.

Freeman scored eight goals and provided six assists in his final season with the Hoops, including a vital game-winning goal against Leeds United that snapped a seven-game losing streak. It was time for him to stand up, as QPR was once again on the verge of relegation.

By the time he departed the capital in 2019, Freeman had over 100 games under his belt, including 16 goals and 25 assists, and the R’s pocketed a neat £5m from Sheffield United, softening the blow of losing their star man.

Ian Holloway transfer decision pocketed QPR a hefty £5m cash windfall

Unfortunately for Freeman, the transfer to Bramall Lane would mark the start of the end of his career because he failed to get minutes in the Premier League and was shipped out on several loan stints.

Freeman last played for Barnet in 2024, but he hasn’t had a club since. It’s still uncertain if he will give up playing at the age of 33 or continue in non-league football.

It’s safe to say that Holloway’s £300,000 bet to bring the playmaker to Loftus Road came off well, as QPR’s performances earned them more than they paid for, and they made a sizable profit for him in 2019.

When the attacking midfielder came through the door in January 2017, Holloway stated: “I’ve been a great admirer of Luke and his creativity is something we’ll really feel the benefits of,” and it was clear to see why.

It’s difficult to overlook Freeman as one of the greatest players of the past ten years when R’s supporters reflect on their recent sales. They acquired him for a low price, helped him grow into a superb player, enjoyed the benefits, and then sold him for a significant profit.

His contributions throughout his two and a half years at the club could have made the difference between survival and relegation, and the R’s could rely on him in dire circumstances because he missed just four league games in two complete seasons.

A few of the highlights that cemented the 33-year-old’s position in QPR legend are the game-winning goal against Leeds, the incredible goal at Villa Park, and his incredible skill in dead-ball situations. Freeman had many unforgettable moments in the iconic blue and white hoops.

The Superhoops will probably be thrilled with the windfall they received and the choice they took to cash in when they did, given how his career developed after leaving QPR. If they had chosen to hang onto him longer, they might not have gotten nearly as much as the £5 million they did.

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