The QPR youngsters trying to make their mark during pre-season
The QPR squad for their pre-season trip to the Netherlands contains a number of youngsters, including three who are yet to make their league debut for the club.
Two others, Brandon Comley and Niko Hamalainen, did not travel but featured in the recent friendly at Aldershot.
Here’s the lowdown on some young players whose names might be unfamiliar to some Rangers fans.
Osman Kakay
Age: 18
Position: Defender
Joined Livingston on loan in January and made 12 appearances during his time with the Scottish side. The loan deal was agreed immediately after Kakay’s QPR contract, which was due to expire this summer, was extended until 2017. He has been with the club since the age of eight.
Axel Prohouly
Age: 18
Position: Forward
Prohouly, who can play up front or through the middle, was signed on a three-year contract last summer after leaving Monaco. He was called up for the France Under-19 squad in February and was an unused substitute for QPR’s final two matches of last season.
Olamide Shodipo
Age: 19
Position: Winger
A Republic of Ireland Under-19 international who has just turned 19, Shodipo scored the opening goal in last week’s friendly at Aldershot and featured in Friday’s win against PSV Eindoven. He signed a new two-year contract at Rangers in April.
Brandon Comley
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Liked by Chris Ramsey, now QPR’s technical director – Comley trained with the first team soon after Ramsey was appointed head coach. He has made two first-team appearances for Rangers, both as a substitute, and played 12 times for Carlisle during a loan spell last season. Under contract until next summer, having been given a two-year deal in May 2015, Comley has been with the club since the age of nine.
Niko Hamalainen
Age: 19
Position: Defender or midfielder
An American-born left-sided player and Finland Under-18 international who was signed by QPR on a two-year contract in 2014 after impressing while on trial. He spent a month on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge last year, making just one appearance, and in April his R’s contract was extended by a year. He featured in last summer’s pre-season visit to Italy.
Other QPR youngsters in the picture
Ryan Manning, who recently turned 20, is a wide player signed from Galway in 2014. He has since fallen behind other youngsters in the pecking order but is regarded as a talented prospect.
Goalkeeper Conor Hudnott has been with QPR since being released by Chelsea three years ago. A number of clubs are beginning to show an interest in taking him on loan.
