Youngster leaves QPR – for Champions League football

QPR’s Under-18s captain Tom Matthews has signed for Welsh champions The New Saints.

The 18-year-old defender joined Rangers as a scholar in 2014 from Norwich City.

He skippered the Under-18s side which lost 2-1 after extra-time to Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup in December.

Matthews has agreed a two-year deal with TNS, who will play in the first qualifying round of the Champions League after winning their 10th Welsh Premier League title.