The 2015 acquisition of Tjaronn Chery from FC Groningen by Queens Park Rangers turned out to be a brilliant commercial move.
With 18 goals for Royal Antwerp in the 2024–2025 season—the finest return of his career—Chery continues to defy his advancing years and is still cherished by R’s followers.
Because QPR was struggling financially and dealing with the immediate aftermath of Premier League relegation when the attacking midfielder came, his impact was all the more noteworthy during that difficult time.
Tjaronn Chery turned out to be a wise summer acquisition for QPR.
In July 2015, after fending off interest from other Premier League clubs, QPR exercised an undisclosed release clause in the Dutchman’s contract with FC Groningen to seal his signature on a three-year agreement.
Les Ferdinand, the football director at the time, was very happy with the acquisition and explained that Chery turned down bigger offers elsewhere in order to join QPR.
At the time, Ferdinand told BBC Sport, “He had offers to earn much more money elsewhere, but he’s chosen QPR because he feels he can progress here as a player and that’s fantastic.”
Chery, who arrived at the age of 27, had a strong background; in his final season with Groningen, he scored 15 goals in 34 Eredivisie games. The Loftus Road supporters therefore thought he would be able to have a significant impact on their team at the Championship level.
Chery’s influence throughout Loftus Road’s difficult times cemented his place in QPR hearts.
During one of the most difficult times in QPR’s recent history, Chery arrived.
The team had recently been relegated from the Premier League after a miserable season that culminated in a crushing 6-0 loss to Manchester City.
The R’s were also under increasing financial strain as a result of severe Financial Fair Play penalties and the progressive cutback of parachute payments.
The club’s revenue, which peaked at £86 million in 2015, would ultimately decline in the years that followed if they were not in the top division.
Despite these difficult conditions, Chery became an important member of the team very fast. The Dutchman, who mostly played in his preferred number 10 position under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, contributed much-needed inventiveness.
He helped set up what was called “the moment of Rangers’ season so far” by assisting Idrissa Sylla’s late winner against Fulham at Craven Cottage, demonstrating his exceptional crossing skill.
Chery did, however, stir up some commotion while he was living in West London. Sky Sports commentator Andy Hinchcliffe called his response to being substituted “despicable” when he was used in a derby loss to the previously mentioned Fulham.
In spite of this, the Suriname international had a fantastic first season at Loftus Road in 2015–16, scoring 10 goals and dishing out four assists in 39 Championship games.
Chery, however, would depart the team in January 2017 to join Guizhou FC of China after recording four goals and three assists in 22 games in the second division during the first half of the 2016–17 season.
Chery had turned down a new deal with QPR, with sources speculating at the time that his performance had declined as a result of the club’s inability to reach an agreement.
At 37, Tjaronn Chery is experiencing a rebirth.
Chery continues to exhibit the class that made him such a great asset for QPR, over ten years after leaving Loftus Road. For a player who turned 37 on June 4, 2025, his 2024–2025 performances for Royal Antwerp of Belgium have been outstanding.
With 18 goals in all competitions during the 24–25 season, Chery surpassed his previous best of 17 goals from his 2014 last season with Groningen, marking a personal milestone.
Chery’s signing does stand out as a unique instance of both good value and timing for R’s supporters looking back on their team’s transfer history.
He will be remembered with fondness on the Loftus Road terraces for many years to come because of his steady output during one of the most trying times in the club’s modern existence.
Read more at; https://www.sportupdates.co.uk
With his 2015 Loftus Road arrival, QPR hit gold, and at 37, he’s still going
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