QPR complete signing of Colback

QPR have completed the signing of Jack Colback.

The midfielder has signed a two-year contract with the option of a further year.

Colback, 33, has been Gareth Ainsworth’s top target this summer and the Rangers boss has been pursuing his signing for several weeks.

Ainsworth is determined to add bite in midfield and was keen to bring in Colback and Max Power.

He missed out on Power, who joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah after leaving Wigan.

But Ainsworth continued to chase a deal for Colback, who was a free agent after recently being released by Nottingham Forest.

And after some time considering his options, Colback accepted QPRs offer.

“I’m excited to be part of what the manager wants to do here. It was an easy decision,” he told QPR’s website. 

“I will bring 100% effort. I feel I have done that wherever I have been. I will bring experience, a calmness on the pitch, a confidence and a leadership.

“What fans want is the players to turn up and give 100% for the shirt. You have to have a pride in what you do, individually and for the team and the fans you’re representing. I have always had self-pride in terms of that.”

• See also: QPR looking to sign midfielder Colback 

Colback has a wealth of experience, having had spells at Newcastle – where he is from – and Sunderland prior to a three-year spell at Forest.

A product of Sunderland’s academy, he made 115 league appearances for the Wearside club and had two spells on loan at Ipswich before signing for Newcastle in 2014.

Soon after that move he received an England call-up but had to withdraw from the squad because of a calf injury.

He left St James’ Park in 2020 to sign for Forest, where he had previously been on loan.

Ainsworth has also been keen to bring in a centre-back before Saturday’s Championship opener against Watford and efforts to do so have been stepped up after Jimmy Dunne suffered a shoulder injury.