Kwame Poku tells Rangers exactly why he snubbed transfer for QPR deal
The winger appeared to be closing in on a move to Ibrox but opted to stay in England
Transfer recruit Kwame Poku has lifted the lid on why he chose Queens Park Rangers amid interest from Rangers after leaving Peterborough.
The forward has been heavily linked with the Light Blues in the past 12 months with Posh director of football Barry Fry revealing Ibrox scouts had watched the player in action.
Russell Martin appeared close to bringing the 23-year-old to the Scottish Premiership in the last month - but in the end Poku opted to remain in England and take the step up from League One to the Championship.
The club took a knowing swipe at Rangers on social media - and the man himself would lift the lid on the decision.
Asked by club media why he opted for QPR, he said: "I think speaking to the manager, and speaking to everyone here, the project they are building here excites me and I want to be part of taking QPR to the next level.
"When I was speaking to (new QPR boss) Julien Stephan he was talking about where he sees me fitting in and where he thinks I can influence the game. That's what really attracted me.
"Being 23 turning 24, I'm not quite young anymore so I want to come in and make my mark from the jump.'
Chief executive Christian Nourry also claimed that the R's have seen off competition from across Europe: "His decision to join the football club today in the face of interest from Europe-competing teams abroad and Championship teams with significantly bigger budgets than us is a fantastic validation of the direction we are moving in, including a specialised focus on individual player development."
It leave Rangers to search for another winger as sporting director Kevin Thelwell and boss Martin look to strengthen before the crucial Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos next month.
The club are in talks over bringing in Conor Coady to bolster the defence while Dor Turgeman is a target to boost the frontline with Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers facing uncertain futures.
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